Classic Potato Leek Soup Recipes

CLASSIC POTATO LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large wide pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, leeks and onion and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and not browned, about 12 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-high, pour in the wine and continue to cook, uncovered, until almost dry, about 4 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, 7 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, covered, until the potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
• Remove and discard the thyme and bay leaf. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and carefully puree until smooth, taking care not to fill the carafe more than half full per batch, or puree with an immersion blender in the pot. Reheat the soup over medium heat until steaming.
• Whisk in the cream and lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves, a drizzle of oil and a frizzled leeks or shallot if using.

LIGHT POTATO AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Slice leeks lengthwise and wash out any dirt between the layers. Chop and place in a large mixing bowl with garlic.
• Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add potatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, and rosemary. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let soup cool briefly. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and puree in batches. Return soup to the pot and stir in half-and-half and season with black pepper. Reheat gently, about 5 minutes.

CLASSIC POTATO LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoons pepper and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until leeks are tender.
• Add potatoes, broth and 1 cup water; cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and boil gently, covered, for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Remove from heat.
• In a blender, in batches, or with an immersion blender, purée about half the soup until smooth, leaving half chunky. Return to pot, if necessary.
• Stir in milk; heat over medium heat, stirring often, just until steaming (do not let boil).
• Stir in lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• COOKING TIPS: Be sure to wash leeks well - they often have sand hidden between the layers. Cut the leek in half lengthwise and rinse well; separate layers and rub out any grit, shake dry, then slice.