Leeks in Vinaigrette With Walnuts and Tarragon

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• 6 large leeks, tough outer layer removed
• 1 garlic clove, finely grated
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
• ⅓ cup coarsely chopped tarragon
• Freshly ground black pepper

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Transfer to a small bowl and toss with oil; season with salt.
2. Trim root ends of leeks and 1" from the dark green tops. Cut leeks into ½"-thick rounds (the dark green parts won’t be rounds, but that’s okay). Rinse well.
3. Cook leeks in a large pot of boiling salted water until meltingly tender, 12–15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry.
4. Whisk garlic, vinegar, and Dijon and whole grain mustards in a small bowl; season vinaigrette with salt.
5. Arrange leeks on a platter; drizzle with vinaigrette and let sit at least 10 minutes (the longer, the better).
6. Just before serving, scatter walnut mixture over leeks and top with tarragon and lots of pepper.
7. Do Ahead: Leeks (without walnut mixture and tarragon) can be marinated 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.