Leeks kind of look like giant scallions and have a much milder taste than regular onions. There is often dirt trapped inside the layers, so you need to make sure to clean them well before using. The easiest way to do this is to cut the leeks in half lengthwise, then slice into 1/4" half moons (only use the white and light green part - the dark green part is very tough and dry). Put the sliced leeks into a big bowl of cold water and shake around a bit. The leeks will stay at the top while all the dirt and sediment sinks to the bottom of the bowl. After a few minutes you are left with clean leeks ready to go.
Potato & Leek Soup
via Kitchen Riffs
Serves 4
Ingredients:
3 cups cleaned and sliced leeks
3 cups scrubbed and diced yellow or yukon gold potatoes with skins left on
4-5 cups water
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
Add leeks and potatoes to a large soup pot and add just enough water to cover. Add several pinches of salt & pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
At this point, I like to use my immersion blender to blend the soup slightly. It breaks up some of the potatoes and gives the soup a really great creamy texture.
Honestly, it is hard to believe how good the soup tastes. I was very skeptical because I thought with only adding water, the soup wouldn't be very flavorful.
Boy, was I wrong! I think it was even better reheated the next day. If you've never tried leeks before, I would highly recommend this recipe as an introduction to the wonderful world of leeks. I predict many more bowls of this soup in my future!
~Tammy
Shared with Mix It Up Monday, Meatless Monday, Show Me What You Got, Backyard Farming Connection, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Hearth & Soul, Tasty Tuesdays, Share It, Worthy Wednesday, Down Home Blog Hop, Eat Make Grow, Country Homemaker Hop, Rural Thursday, Healthy Vegan Friday, Sunny Simple Sunday, Thursday Favorite Things, Food On Friday
We LOVE potato leek soup! We use leeks in a creamy cauliflower leek soup as well (they taste even better fresh from the garden!)We make our potato leek soup a little different, we saute the leeks with a couple cloves of crushed garlic in a little olive oil before we add the potatoes and water. Then we add a bay leaf while it cooks.
ReplyDelete~Rob
Yum! We love leeks so I'm sure this would be a hit here - I will try it next week before the Thanksgiving festivities. Thrifty too!
ReplyDeleteIt looks delicious! I always hear 'leeks' on the food channel shows but I've never tried them. This isn't time consuming either which is always good for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my photoblog today. :)
Oh sounds so delicious and fitting for the season ~ thanx ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious. I am definitely going to give this a try since I have on hand both potatoes and leeks! I'm also on a soft foods diet for a while for my tmj and just got a crown redone, so soups are perfect :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the second GREAT soup recipe I've seen today. I'm sharing it. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteLOL! First time Ibought a leek, had to call a friend who had written a cook book to ask what to do with them! I've always avoided potato-leek soup recipes because they usually add cream or milk. Yours sounds perfect though, and I can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy.. I love this soup.. It is the first one of Julia Childs that I tried and loved..
ReplyDeleteYours looks so good that I may need to make it again soon..
Blessings..
This recipe does intrigue me! I haven't tried leeks, but this does look really good!
ReplyDeleteYum! I think I'll have to make this. I just made creamy potato soup and it was delish!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delish! I grew leeks once or twice; I love everything onion!! Sounds like a great recipe that only uses a few ingredients - amazing! Thanks for posting this! :)
ReplyDeleteI make a very similar soup, the only difference being that I use chicken or vegetable broth and you're right, it is delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe soup looks good, I have never tried leeks...
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteYour potato & leek soup looks delicious! I don't tend to buy leeks too often, but this is soup weather. Have a great day.
My family love soups, this recipe is so easy I need to give it a try! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI love homemade soup! There is just no comparison to the canned variety, and simple soups like this one are even better. Yesterday I made a great clam chowder, and when we finish that I'm going to try this one! Thanks for the recipe Tammy! :)
ReplyDeleteI like that there is no cream or milk added. Smooshing up the potatoes to make it thicker is a great idea! Thanks for this simple, delicious recipe!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love leeks! Your soup looks great.
ReplyDeleteOh I like this recipe I have tried many Leek and Potato ones and I like that you do not add milk either. Thank you. It looks so good. I love Leeks. B
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this soup but have never made it -- I imagine it does taste good on a cold day. Thanks for the recipe. :)
ReplyDeleteI think this may be dinner tomorrow - there are still leeks in the garden and I love the simplicity of this recipe!!
ReplyDeleteNever had leeks; going to try this recipe. Thanks, gal!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! Can't wait to try!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try leeks, I know they're good for you, but just don't know how to cook them. I'd love to try this recipe.
ReplyDeleteI've never cooked with leeks, I love trying new things! Thanks for linking up at Worthy Wednesday link party.
ReplyDeleteI love leeks :) I use them a lot. glad you liked it, sweetie. xxo
ReplyDeleteHey, it looks great! We have used leeks a time or two and they are pretty tasty. This looks perfect for a nice cold afternoon in front of the fire.
ReplyDeleteThis actually looks and sounds great! I've never tried leeks before but every time I pass by them at the store, I think "man, I've got to find a recipe for these..." so thank for this! I also like easy soups that just use water because I don't always have broth on hand, and I don't buy the strore bought kind. I'm pinning this and making this weekend..
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Tiny Tip Tuesday! :)
I used leeks in a dish called colcannon that has sauteed leeks and scallions mixed into boiled potatoes. All smashed happily together with salt, pepper, and butter! One of my favorite St. Patrick's day dishes.
ReplyDeleteLooks great and so easy to make! Thanks for sharing at Meatless Monday this week :)
ReplyDeleteI love simple, minimal ingredient recipes like this where the individual flavors shine through. Comforting soup for cold days, thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. :)
ReplyDeleteI love leeks! They are great for making homemade veggie stock, I use them a lot :) Love the soup, looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteSo simple and so nice. Thanks for linking up with Food on friday. Cheers
ReplyDelete