When the line’s too long at Pok Pok, try the leek cakes at Kim Chuy, a Chiu Chow noodle house across the street. (Jonathan Gold / Los Angeles Times) By Jonathan Gold. Jan. 2, 2015 12:54 PM PT .

1. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. 2. In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes and cold water to cover by 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt.

Ingredients: 1 pound flour, 8 ounces margarine, 4 ounces raisins or currants, 6 ounces sugar, 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons milk.

Leeks have a mild onion flavor, but are a little tougher than an onion. They resemble an enormous green onion, but are at least an inch or so in diameter and can be 10 to 12 inches long.

As our new TODAY Food series Going Green continues, chef Amy Chaplin demonstrates how to make a couple of easy, plant-based recipes: cauliflower leek and greens bake and an apple-almond cake with ...