Leek Soup With Brie Toasts Recipes

CREAMY LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Wash sliced leeks in a large bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and drain well in a colander.
• Cook leeks, onion, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper in 4 tablespoons butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then add to onion mixture along with wine, stock, water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and simmer soup, uncovered, 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf and keep soup at a bare simmer.
• Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, then add flour and cook roux, whisking, until golden, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 cups simmering stock (from soup), whisking vigorously (mixture will be thick), then whisk mixture into remaining soup and return to a simmer, whisking.
• Blend soup in 4 batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), about 1 minute per batch, transferring to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Reheat if necessary, then season with salt and pepper.
• Beat cream in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until it almost forms soft peaks. Serve soup topped with cream.

CREAMY LEEK SOUP WITH BRIE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute leeks in butter until tender. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 minutes. , Strain, reserving broth in pan. Place leeks in a blender with 1/2 cup of broth; cover and process until smooth. , Return to the pan. Stir in 3 cups cream. Combine the flour, salt, pepper and remaining cream until smooth; stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. , Cut Brie into small pieces; add to soup in batches, stirring until most of the cheese is melted. Garnish with chives.

CREAM OF BRIE AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until translucent, stirring frequently, about 4 minutes. Add 4 cups stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until leeks are tender, about 25 minutes. Purée mixture in batches in blender.
• Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in heavy large non aluminum saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Blend in half and half 1 cup at a time; whisk until smooth. Add 1/4 of cheese and blend until smooth and melted. Repeat with remaining cheese in batches.
• Strain soup through fine sieve, pressing with back of spoon. Return to saucepan. Mix in leek purée. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cool, cover and refrigerate.) Rewarm soup over low heat, stirring constantly. Thin with more stock if desired. Season with salt. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with pepper and chives.

LEEK AND BRIE SOUP

Steps:

• 1) In large saucepan, saute' leeks, celery, shallots, and garlic in clarified butter until soft.
• 2) Add vermouth. Boil gently until reduced by half.
• 3) Add new potatoes, thyme, white pepper to taste, chicken stock, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add Brie, 1 cube at a time, whiskingt until blended after each addition.
• 4) Boil gently for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
• 5) Pour 1/3 of the soup into blender container. Add 1/3 of the spinach . Puree until smooth. Repeat with remaining soup and spinach in 2 batches.
• 6) Ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with swirls of sour cream thinned to a drizzling consistency with a little milk.
• 7) Trim plates with sprigs of cinnamon basil.