How to Make Leek Soup

Leek soup is one of the most popular vegetable soups that have remained widely popular over time. Made from simple ingredients, leek soup is a nourishing and revitalizing soup. You can prepare it in a short time with little fuss and you may be fortunate to find a few of the ingredients in your garden. Below are simple steps for preparation.

Step 1 - Chopping

Split each of the two leeks into 4 parts. Cut from top to bottom with a vegetable knife. Chop into small pieces. Extract about 5 fresh garlic cloves from a bulb and then place in a garlic press and crush. You can also place the garlic in a mortar and crush using a pestle.

Step 2 - Sauté

Melt some butter or margarine in a saucepan. Pour in the chopped leek and crushed garlic. Sauté on medium or low heat, until soft. Stir frequently so that the heat is well distributed and ingredients don't brown

Step 3- Prepare Potatoes

While you sauté the leeks, peel and chop potatoes. Chop into small-sized cubes so that they can cook quickly. Then, pour the potatoes into the saucepan and stir well.

Step 4- Cook Soup

Add the chicken stock, black pepper, salt to taste and 4 cups of hot water. Stir gently so that the ingredients are well-distributed in the soup. Allow the soup to boil, and then turn down the heat so that the soup can simmer for about 15 minutes. This will allow the potatoes to remain chunky when the soup is served. However, if you prefer the potatoes to break down, you need to cook for about 20 minutes until they become soft. You can also use a masher to break them down further.

Step 5 - Pour in Cream

Pour the cream or milk into the soup and stir well. This should be done just moments before you serve if you hope to attain that perfect flavor.

Step 6 - Serve in Bowls

Pour the soup into selected bowls. You can garnish each bowl with a sprig of parsley placed in the centre of the bowl.

Leek soup freezes well and can last up to 2 months when frozen. However, it is best frozen without the cream or milk in it. When you are ready to use it, you can reheat then add the cream. This soup can provide hearty refreshment during the cold winter months and can help soothe a person with a cold or flu.