Look no further for light, chunky/creamy, cosy potato leek soup! We have a recipe that will easily become a family favorite. Blend it to smooth, creamy texture or keep it chunky and comforting! Just don’t forget to load it up with bacon! Bacon makes everything BETTER!
3leekswhite and mild green part sliced thin, discard dark green stem and roots
4medium potatoesRusset or Idaho or Yukon gold, peeled and cut into cubes
4cupsvegetable stock
2tablespoonbutter
1tablespoonolive oil
1bay leaf
1tablespoonItalian seasoningdried herbs
1tablespoonfresh thyme leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Serving Options:
Baconfried and cut into small pieces
Chives or fresh chopped parsley
Fresh milled pepper
Instructions
How To Cut Leeks For Soup:
Trim off the root ends and tough top green leafy parts from the white stalk of leek. Keep white stalk whole.
Note: Use the green leafy part to make stock instead of wasting it. Rinse and slice it thin, add all vegetables scraps and boil in water at low for an hour! Use bay leaf, pepper corns and salt for flavor and seasoning!
Cut white stalk into half-length wise.
Fan out layers of leek to separate it out without pulling it apart. Hold it under running water and fan opens the layers to wash out any grits in between the layers. Peel off the outer reedy layer. Slice white and mild green middle part into thin strips.
How To Make Soup:
Heat butter and olive oil together in a deep bottom soup pot.
Saute rinsed and chopped leeks into the pot. Cook on low flame for about 10 to 12 minutes. Cover the pot to help leeks soften in it’s own steam.
Once leeks are softened enough, add peeled and chopped potatoes, bay leaf (I’m using dried leaf, if using fresh use 2 or 3 leaves), Italian seasoning, fresh thyme, salt and pepper to taste (Go easy on the salt, as we load the soup with bacon bits while servings. Bacon would make the soup salty. Start off with less salt and then adjust only if needed after taste testing with bacon in it). Pour in vegetable stock. Stir everything well. Cover the pot with lid and cook on low flame.
Cook until you potatoes are fork tender.
Note: If liquid dries out, adjust by adding extra liquid. Do not add too much liquid, start with ¼ to ½ cup as needed.
Once potatoes are cooked through, remove bay leaves. If you added fresh thyme with stem/stalk you have to remove that as well. I added only the leaves.
Using hand immersion blenders blend soup to your desired consistency. You can blend the soup smooth and creamy or keep it chunky or in between the two (like I did! Haha!)Pro Tip: Do not over blend the soup. Over blending will active the starch in potatoes making it gluey.
Check for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Pour hot soup into serving bowls. Load it with bacon pieces. Garnish with chopped parsley (or chives) and sprinkle fresh milled pepper, drizzle olive oil. Serve immediately hot!
Video
Notes
Wash leeks carefully to remove all grits, even those between layers.
Slice leeks uniform and thin so it softens evenly and cooks perfect. Do not speed up this step, cook leeks on low flame and wait until it is softened.
Use starchy potatoes for best results. Yukon gold, Idaho, Russet are best varieties.
Do NOT over blend potato soup. Over blending will active the starch and turn the soup gluey. Gluey soup isn’t pleasant to drink!
If you do want to add more flavors, feel free to add some fresh minced garlic along with leeks. For extra kick add a teaspoon of white pepper powder.
Go easy on the salt, as we load the soup with bacon bits while servings. Bacon would make the soup salty. Start off with less salt and then adjust only if needed after taste testing with bacon in it.
Potatoes will add body and makes this soup naturally thick. If you want to make it even thicker, add one tablespoon flour to the soup (you can add flour once leeks are softened and cook flour for a minute or two constantly stirring).
To give luxurious rich texture to soup, stir in one cup of cream at the end once you have blend the soup to desired consistency. Want to keep it light and healthy, just follow the recipe below (no cream added).
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.