warm salad of leeks, jerusalem artichokes & king prawns

this salad tastes amazing, it's super fast to make and so good for your body. the hardest part is getting your hands on some jerusalem artichokes. jerusalem artichokes are a wonderful winter root vegetable found in farmers markets between october & february. if all else fails abel & cole sell them & do home delivers. don't confuse them with the globe artichoke. 

jerusalem artichokes  are rich in iron, potassium & vitamin B1, so good for your muscles & nerves. excellent news for us workout freaks. they are also excellent for dietetics. they have a lower glycemic index score than potatoes and they aren't fattening as they contain negligible amounts of fat and zero cholesterol. to top it off they are an extremely good source for dietary fibers.

the salad is brilliant for a quick healthy lunch, however it's best to prepare immediately before cooking. if you must peel and slice the jerusalem artichokes in advance, place in cold water with a squeeze of lemon. peel the jerusalem artichokes  with care to avoid snapping them.

i was taught this wonderful salad by  mark peregrine,  head tutor at the raymond blanc cookery school. 

dressing

1. 1tbsp dijon mustard
2. 1tbsp white wine vinegar
3. 2tbsp water
4. 3tbsp rapeseed oil
5. 1tsp chives
6. 1tsp dill
7. Sea salt to taste
8. black pepper to taste

ingredients

1. 4 medium leeks
2. 320g jerusalem artichokes
3. 60g mixed leaves (watercress, rocket, spinach)
4. 160g king prawns

directions

1. wash the leeks & remove the outer layers, cut them into 3cm batons. wash and peel the jerusalem artichokes slice them into 4 segments.
2. steam the leeks & jerusalem artichokes for 16 minutes. 
3. mean while prepare the dressing, by blending together the dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, water, rapeseed oil, chives, dill, salt & black pepper.
4. once the leeks and jerusalem artichokes are cooked through, place in a bowl with half the dressing whilst they are still warm. stir well & leave to cool for 5 minutes.
5. it's time to serve, make a bed with the mixed leaves, place the leeks and jerusalem artichokes in the centre of the leaves, then top with the king prawns & remaining dressing.
6. enjoy.