Potato-Leek Soup
13
Many, many years ago, Tom cooked for me for the first time. He made a creamy potato soup and it was incredibly delicious. I admit, I was impressed, considering the only thing I’d seen him “cook” before was mixing together a packet of taco seasoning and ranch dressing (“Southwest sauce,” obviously).
A few months later, he cooked for me for the second time—and made the soup again. This time? Not so good. He burned the bottom and if you know anything about burning soups, you know that once you stir that burnt bottom into the soup, there’s no turning back. The whole pot is going to taste like it came out of a smoke stack (or like my specialty of broiler-burnt bread).
That was the end of that soup.
I’ve made a couple versions of potato soup over the years but not many. Potato soups tend to be creamy and heavy and, while delicious, aren’t always the best choice for me.
This soup, on the other hand, is quite healthy. There is no cream or bacon (it’s okay, I promise) and while there is some butter, each serving ends up having only about a teaspoon of it. The soup has a great texture and it tastes very simple and pure, if you will. The leeks lend a bit of sweetness, the chili powder just a hint of spice, but otherwise this tastes like…potatoes. Which is a good thing.
Zachary loved this soup, which was weird because he never seems to want to eat soup and he doesn’t like mashed potatoes (weirdo). I suspect all the soup-making he’s been doing in his new kitchen is helping, though. (His dog’s favorite is garlic, apparently.)
There are many different ways to wash your leeks; just remember to wash them well, unless you like dirt in your food or something. I usually just slice them and the put them in a bowl of water, letting all the dirt sink to the bottom. Or, I slice and then use a salad spinner to rinse them under water and have the added benefit of spinning them dry (which won’t necessarily keep them looking pretty but considering they’re being pureed, anyway, it’s fine). David also has instructions for preparing them.
Potato-Leek Soup
Slightly adapted from David Lebovitz
Serves 6
2 Tbsp. butter
4 leeks, sliced and washed
1 tsp. fresh thyme
1/4 tsp. chili powder*
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth, or water
1.5 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. freshly ground white pepper (optional) or black pepper for finishing*
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium heat.
Add the sliced leeks and season them with salt. Cook the leeks until they are soft and wilted, about 5-7 minutes. Add the thyme and chili powder and stir for about 30 seconds, allowing them to release their flavors.
Pour in the broth or water. Add the potatoes and bay leaves.
Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender when poked with a sharp knife, about 15 minutes.
Remove the bay leaves and puree the soup with white pepper, if using. I used an immersion blender but a blender (being careful not to overfill) will also work. A food processor isn’t the best, since it will cause the potatoes to be too gummy. Season the soup with salt to taste.
Ladle into bowls and serve with freshly ground pepper (if using) and any other garnishes you like.
*I didn’t have white pepper. I was too lazy to go to my favorite spice store, and there was no chance I was going to the grocery store and paying an exorbitant price for a thimble of pepper. Instead, I used a hot chili powder and then served the soup with freshly ground black pepper.
This is one of my favourite soups Elly. I can never have enough!
Looks great…I’ve actually never had any sort of potato soup before but have been wanting to try to make one. I believe in the recipe you forgot to add ‘pounds’ to the amount of potatoes.
Thanks, Asiya, I fixed it!
One of my favorite things to eat for lunch in college was potato leek soup from this corner health food restaurant… omg it was SO GOOD, and now i am ecstatic because I can make my own! and who doesn’t like to re-live their youthful carefree days? haha
and OH MY GOODNESS Zachary is adorable! Especially playing with his little dog. 🙂
Elly, this looks amazing! The photos are beautiful!
Thanks a lot Elly for this wonderful recipe. I’m sorry that I don’t eat chili though. Other than that, I will follow your steps exactly. Take care.
I tend to avoid potato soups as long as I’m not preparing them because they are usually a calorie disaster! Not this one though. This one sounds just perfect!
I relate to his scarring after the burnt soup incident. Been there, done that. I’m glad you took up the fight though, Elly. That soup is lovely. And kudos on the photos. I know how hard it is to take a good pic of soup, never mind one that’s beige! Super job, my friend!
Love the idea of adding a dash of chili powder to the soup! Yum!
I must be a freak, because sometimes I like the taste of burnt soup. I usually leave my stove on while we are eating chicken and dumplings, just so some on the bottom will burn a little and my left-overs will have that taste. Weirdo, I know!
This soup sounds delicious, and probably better unburnt. 🙂
This soup is wonderful I made it just the other day and the leek add just the right flavor to the soup and the spices are not overpowering.
MMMm you just reminded me how badly I need to make soup… and leeks make everything better!
There really is nothing more comforting (ok…maybe a little bit of an exaggeration) than a bowl of leek and potato soup on a cold day. I love how this recipe doesn’t use cream!