Hi, thanks for stopping by today. I hope you are well? As for me, I have a rotten sore throat (plus the high temperature etc that go with these horrid virus’). I need soup! And not any old soup, Leek and Potato Soup! I love this soup, it’s the one of the few foods I eat when feeling unwell and haven’t got an appetite. So, whenever I’m unwell this is what I feast on.
So I make a big batch of this soup when I’m well, then I freeze it in single portions. That way, if I’m not feeling fantastic, like today, all I have to do is grab a portion out of the freezer, reheat and eat!
Recipe: Leek and Potato Soup
0.5Kg Leeks
0.5kg Potatoes – I’ve used King Edwards, floury potatoes work best in this recipe.
1tsp Nutmeg – freshly grated
1/2tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon
1/2tsp Black Pepper – freshly ground
1 Vegetable Stock Cube
1 Tbs Butter – for sautéing leeks (use vegetable oil for vegetarian/vegan version*)
50mls plus a little extra Double Cream (alternatively use full fat Coconut Milk*)
Prepping The Leeks For The Soup
Place a large, heavy based saucepan on the hob, add the butter or oil) and melt on a slow heat.
Trim the top and bottom of the leeks. Make a slit down the entire length of each leek. Wash each leek thoroughly under cold water, making sure that any dirt, trapped between the layers, is washed out. (This is best done under a tap of cold running water – or you can chop the leeks, place in a bowl filled with cold water, swish about to dislodge any dirt and drain.)
Chop the leeks into roughly 1/2″ dice.
Add the chopped leeks to the melted butter in the pan. Then add half of the salt and stir ( the salt will stop the leeks burning). Sauté the leeks for 5-10 minutes on a medium/low heat until translucent (the dark green parts of the leek won’t change, don’t worry that’s okay).
Prepping The Potatoes For The Soup
While the leeks are sautéing peel and chop the potatoes (1″ dice for the potatoes). Place the prepared potatoes into a bowl and cover with cold water.
As soon as the leeks are translucent add the potatoes and the water they have been stored in. Pour over enough recently boiled water, from a kettle, until the potatoes and leeks are completely covered in liquid.
Seasoning And Cooking The Soup
Turn the heat up and bring to a boil, and then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer.
Add the stock cube, pepper and freshly grated nutmeg. Hold back on adding the rest of the salt, stock cubes vary in their saltiness. Better to add a the salt later, than have an over salted ruined soup!
Cook the soup on a gentle simmer for at least an hour. Because, slow cooking breaks down the tougher fibres found in the dark green tops of the leeks, enhancing not only the colour, but, most importantly the flavour of the soup. I’ve made this soup before leaving it to simmer happily, on a low heat, all morning. Not only did it taste delicious, the house had a wonderful, welcoming, warm aroma!
Creating A Velvety Leek And Potato Soup Texture
When the soup is fully cooked it’s time to blend. There are various ways to do this: A potato masher can be used to simply ‘mash’ the potatoes and leeks into the liquid. This will not give the smoothness achieved by using a blender, but creates a wonderfully textured soup.
I’ve used an immersion blender for my soup. As can be seen from the photo, make sure you move your pan away from direct heat whilst blending. Blend the soup until it is smooth and velvety in texture.
Other ways of blending including using a liquidiser or food processor. I personally would not liquidise the soup until it has cooled. Whatever you decide, ensure you follow the manufacturers instructions for your appliance. Just looking out for your safety xx.
Serving The Soup At Its Best
When you have your soup at the desired texture, stir in 50mls of double cream. Doing so makes such a difference. If you are seriously counting the calories, check the soup for seasoning and eat the soup as is. Yet, for a creamier soup add either double cream or coconut milk. As soon as the small amount of cream has been added it enriches the soup, rounds out all of the flavours and takes the soup to a whole other velvety taste experience. So it really is worth adding the cream!
Next serve yourself up a generous bowlful, add a little swirl of cream, should you desire and enjoy.
A warming feast to enjoy in the colder months. Especially good at soothing sore throats.
This soup freezes very well for up to 3 months. Pour into single serving, freezer proof plastic containers. Perfect for sharing if one of your friends or family members fall ill. Once frozen it is very portable, so a bowlful of homemade soup is just a quick drive away!
If you have enjoyed this recipe for Leek And Potato Soup you may also like these:
Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup
See even simple easy soup can be shared.
Sammie x
No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.
