It’s a beautiful, rainy February day here in Vacaville. It’s a misty, drizzly day that needs soup. Nothing too dead-of-winterish, but rather something a bit more refined. Leek and Potato Soup is easy, pretty cheap, and, most importantly, delicious. If you don’t have any leeks, you’ll have to go buy some. And while you’re at the store, get a loaf of fresh, crusty bread. Dinner’s ready!
Leek and Potato Soup
3 large leeks
1 lb. potatoes
1 onion
1 clove garlic
4 Tbl. butter
2 Tbl. flour
3 pints chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and white pepper to taste
Fill a large bowl two-thirds full with cold water. Slice the white and pale green parts only of the leeks into 1/8” thick slices. Place slices in bowl of water, working the dirt out of the pieces with your fingers as you go. Let the dirt and grit settle to the bottom of the bowl. Let the leeks sit in the water for a few minutes. Meanwhile, peel and chop the onion, peel and mince the garlic. Melt the butter in a large pot. Remove the sliced leeks from the water with your hands, being careful not to disturb the dirt on the bottom of the bowl, shake off the water (they don’t need to be perfectly dry), and place them in the pot with the melted butter. Gently sauté the leeks, onion, and garlic for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not allow vegetables to brown. Peel and dice the potatoes and add them to the pot. Salt and generously pepper the vegetables, then dust them with the flour. Stir all together. Add the chicken stock to the pot, increase the heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove from heat. If you have an immersion blender, now is the time to puree the soup. If you do not have an immersion blender, let the soup cool for about 20 minutes then puree it in batches in a conventional blender. When soup is pureed, return it to the pot (if you used an immersion blender, you are good to go already). Add the cream, stirring well. Reheat the soup gently, but do not let it boil. Taste for seasoning. Serve warm, garnished with some fresh chopped parsley (if you have any). Serves 6
P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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