Leek Kale Potato Soup Topped With Shoestring Fries Recipes

LEEK, KALE & POTATO SOUP TOPPED WITH SHOESTRING FRIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7 and line a baking tray with parchment. Cut the whole potato into matchsticks using a julienne peeler, or shave thin slices using a vegetable peeler, then cut into matchsticks. Pat dry using kitchen paper, then toss with the oil and some seasoning. Spread out on the tray and roast for 15-18 mins.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the leeks, chopped potatoes and a pinch of salt, then cook gently for 10 mins until the leeks have softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 min more, then pour in the stock. Simmer for 10-12 mins until the potatoes are soft, then add the kale and cook for 2-3 mins to wilt.
• Stir in the crème fraîche, then blitz with a hand blender and season to taste. Divide the soup between bowls and top with the shoestring fries.

KALE AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• 1.Sauté leek in olive oil until soft. Add kale and cook until wilted. 2.Add broth and cook for 30 minutes on low heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes or until temperature reaches 120°F (65°C). 3.Place soup into the Vitamix container and secure lid. 4.Select Variable 1. 5.Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. 6.Blend for 45 seconds until smooth. 7.Pour mixture back into pot and heat for 10 minutes, or just until it begins to simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

SLOW COOKER POTATO, LEEK, AND KALE GRATIN WITH TOO MUCH CHEESE

Steps:

• Set the slow cooker to the sauté function. Add the oil and, once hot, add the leek and cook for 1-2 minutes, then add the kale and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until the leek is soft. Gently scoop into a bowl. Line the slow cooker with a sheet of baking paper, working carefully as it will be hot.
• Add the cream, stock and cheeses to a bowl and use a fork to combine.
• Arrange one-third of the potato slices over the bottom of the lined bowl, overlapping them slightly. Pour in one-third of the cream mixture and sprinkle with one-third of the leek mixture. Season and repeat the process until all the ingredients have been used.
• You should get three decent layers of cheesy potato goodness. Close the lid and cook on high for 4 hours.
• Check the liquid at the 3-hour mark. If there is a lot of liquid remaining, leave the lid off for the last hour of cooking. If, at 4 hours, there is still too much liquid, remove the lid and, if your cooker has it, hit the reduce function, or simply the sauté function, and cook for 2-5 minutes. This will quickly get rid of any excess moisture.
• Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes in the slow cooker before gently removing. If you try to cut it when still hot, it tends to go everywhere. Alternatively, scoop the gratin straight from the bowl onto the plate. It might not look amazing, but it's the kind of dish that is here for a good time, not a long time.
• Season generously with salt and pepper and serve. Eat wearing stretchy pants; you are going to need them.