French Womens Leek Soup Food

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.

FRENCH WOMEN'S LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Slice leek and mushrooms. Finely dice carrot. Trim and chop beans.
• Heat butter or spread in a large saucepan, add leek and cook until translucent. Add mushrooms, carrot and berans stir fry for a minute.
• Cover with stock and cook for 20 minutes on a medium simmer.
• Serve with a slice of sourdough or crusty baguette (feel free to grill them with some cheese first).

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.

MAGICAL LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Clean the leeks and rinse well to get rid of sand and soil.
• Cut off the ends of the dark green parts, leaving all the white parts plus a suggestion of pale green. (Reserve the extra greens for soup stock.).
• Put the leeks in a large pot and cover with water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Pour off the liquid and reserve.
• Place the leeks in a bowl.
• The juice is to be drunk (reheated or at room temperature to taste) every 2 to 3 hours, 1 cup at a time.
• For meals, or whenever hungry, have some of the leeks themselves, 1/2 cup at a time.
• Drizzle with a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice.
• Season sparingly with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you wish.
• This will be your nourishment for both days, until Sunday dinner, when you can have a small piece of meat or fish (4 to 6 ounces -- don't lose that scale yet!), with 2 vegetables, steamed with a bit of butter or olive oil, and a piece of fruit.