Vichyssoise Cream Of Leek Food

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.

POTATO LEEK SOUP (VICHYSSOISE)

Steps:

• Melt butter in soup pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and salt; cook until leeks begin to wilt. Reduce heat to medium or medium-low and cook until soft and almost pastelike, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Place potatoes in the pot; add chicken broth. Adjust heat so mixture simmers slowly. Cook until potatoes are soft, about 30 minutes. Puree mixture with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender. Whisk in heavy cream and creme fraiche. Heat over medium heat. Add more salt, if needed, and cayenne pepper. Do not boil.
• Serve with a drizzle of creme fraiche and a sprinkle of chopped chives.

VICHYSSOISE

Steps:

• Gently sweat the chopped leeks and the chopped onion in butter or margarine until soft, about 8 minutes. Do NOT let them brown.
• Add potatoes and stock to the saucepan. Salt and pepper to taste; do not overdo them! Bring to the boil, and simmer very gently for 30 minutes.
• Puree in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Cool. Gently stir in the cream before serving.

FAKE VICHYSSOISE (OR CREAM OF LEEK AND POTATO SOUP - NO CREAM)

Steps:

• Put potatoes, leeks, onion, butter and the half-pint of water in a large microwaveable bowl.
• Cover and microwave on high for 20 minutes.
• Have the hot stock ready and add to the cooked vegetables.
• Cook for a further 5 minutes, then add salt and pepper to taste.
• Blend till smooth in blender.
• Enjoy.
• This recipe is a real work-horse; you can ring the changes using other vegetables, like celery, carrot, etc.
• Just use them instead of the leeks and you'll have'cream of celery','cream of carrot'whatever.
• You can make it part-chunky or smooth in the blender.

POTATO LEEK SOUP (VICHYSSOISE)

Steps:

• Melt butter in a sauce pot over low heat.
• Add the leeks and cook, stirring, until tender but not browned, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in potatoes or stock.
• Bring to a boil, reduce, and simmer until the potatoes are soft, about 30 minutes.
• Puree until smooth.
• For a finer texture , push through a sieve.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Thin if necessary with additional stock or water.
• If making vichyssoise, add the heavy cream or a combination of milk and cream.
• Reheat gently or chill and serve cold.
• Garnish with snipped chives.