Leeks, goat’s cheese and spelt salad with lemon and elderflower

Lifestyle Recipes Everyday Leeks, goat’s cheese and spelt salad with lemon and elderflower Tender leeks and soft, fresh goat's cheese star in this grain salad, dressed with an aromatic vinaigrette based on elderflower cordial Save Comment speech bubble icon Gift this article free Gift article Give full access to this article, free time. You have 15 articles left to gift, this month. Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Diana Henry Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.    See more Published 10 April 2026 2:18pm BST Related Topics Salad recipes, Cheese recipes, Lemon recipes, Healthy recipes, Lunch recipes, Easy recipes Save Comment speech bubble icon Gift this article free Gift article Give full access to this article, free time. You have 15 articles left to gift, this month. Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email A lovely salad with greens and grains Credit: Haarala Hamilton and Valerie Berry Diana Henry Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.    See more Published 10 April 2026 2:18pm BST A pleasing contrast of nubbly, earthy spelt grains with steamed leeks and soft chunks of goat’s cheese, lightly coated with a dressing that stars elderflower cordial. The spelt takes some time to cook but otherwise this dish is quick to assemble. Overview Prep time 10 mins Cook time 30 mins Serves 6 Ingredients For the salad 250g spelt 2 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 tbsp lemon juice ½ tbsp white balsamic vinegar 450g slim leeks 2 preserved lemons, rind only, finely chopped 225g soft goat’s cheese, broken into chunks 8-10 mint leaves For the dressing ¾ tsp Dijon mustard ¾ tbsp cider or white wine vinegar 4½ tbsp rapeseed oil 3 tbsp apple and elderflower juice 3½ tsp elderflower cordial juice of 1 lemon Method Step Cook 250g spelt in plenty of water for about 25 minutes – it should be tender but retain a little firmness in the centre.  Step Drain well and add 2 tbsp rapeseed oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, ½ tbsp white balsamic vinegar and some seasoning. Taste. Step Trim 450g slim leeks and remove any discoloured outer leaves. Cut into 5cm lengths and wash. Steam until tender.  Step Remove from the steamer and carefully pat dry with a tea towel, otherwise the dressing won’t cling to them. Step To make the dressing, put ¾ tsp Dijon mustard, ¾ tbsp cider or white wine vinegar and some seasoning into a bowl. Step Whisk in 4½ tbsp rapeseed oil, then add 3 tbsp apple and elderflower juice and 3½ tsp elderflower cordial, tasting as you add the juice of 1 lemon. Step Add 2 finely chopped preserved lemons (rind only) to the spelt.  Step In a bowl, arrange the spelt and the leeks, tossing together gently with some dressing, then add 225g soft goat’s cheese (broken into chunks) and 8-10 mint leaves, and more dressing if required. Join the conversation Show comments The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Related Topics Salad recipes, Cheese recipes, Lemon recipes, Healthy recipes, Lunch recipes, Easy recipes License this content You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Find out more here. Log In Subscribe Advertisement More Stories