French Potato Soup With Leek Food

LEEK POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Chop the leeks into small pieces.
• In a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks and a heavy pinch of salt and sweat for 5 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook until the leeks are tender, approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the potatoes and the vegetable broth, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and gently simmer until the potatoes are soft, approximately 45 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and puree the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in the heavy cream, buttermilk, and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately, or chill and serve cold.

IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH POTATO AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Trim and discard the green tops and root ends of the leeks. Halve the leeks lengthwise and swish the stalks thoroughly in cold water to remove dirt and sand. If desired, rinse the stalks under running water as well.
• Drain the leeks, dry with a paper towel, and slice into thin, even strips .
• Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the leeks and sauté them until tender but not browned. This should take about 4 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, chicken stock, bouquet garni, salt, and pepper, and bring the soup to a simmer.
• Cook the soup for 25 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender. To check the potatoes, poke one with a paring knife: If the knife cuts through with little resistance, remove the pan from heat.
• Put aside a few leeks for garnish. Remove and discard the bouquet garni.
• Puree the soup until smooth and silky using a blender , food processor, or immersion blender. Do this in small batches, to avoid splatters and burns.
• Carefully transfer the hot potato and leek soup back to the saucepan and stir in the heavy cream.
• Gently heat the soup-avoid boiling it as high temperatures could curdle the cream.
• Garnish with reserved leeks and serve immediately with a side of crusty bread or a sandwich. Or, if desired, chill the soup in the refrigerator and serve it in the traditional French style.

CLASSIC VICHYSSOISE

Steps:

• In a large stock pot melt butter over low heat. Add leeks and onion, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add thyme, marjoram, bay leaf and stir well. Cover pot and continue to cook for 12 minutes.
• Add chicken stock and bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook, partially covered for 30 minutes.
• Puree soup in blender or food processor and cool.
• Prior to serving add cream. If you are serving this soup warm you need to reheat the soup slowly so that the cream does not change consistency.

CLASSIC FRENCH POTATO LEEK SOUP (CAN BE MADE VEGAN!)

Steps:

• Combine all the vegetables (including parsley & rosemary) & put in a large cooking pot with the water, cover & cook over low heat for about 2 hours. Season with the salt & pepper to taste. Drain vegetables, reserving liquid. Put vegetables through a food processor or whirl in a blender until smooth but not entirely pureed.
• Return mixture to the liquid & add margarine & milk or creamer & reheat & add more seasoning if necessary.
• Serve topped with chives if desired.

FRENCH POTATO SOUP WITH LEEK

Steps:

• Saute leek in olive oil in a large pot 2 minutes.
• Add onion, garlic, celery, and potato, saute 3-5 minutes.
• Add water, stock, and salt. Bring to a low boil.
• Simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender.
• Remove from heat, strain off half of liquid and reserve.
• Process potato/leek mixture in small batches in a food processor. Return to pot with reserved liquid.
• Season to taste.
• Stir in milk and serve hot.