Potato-Leek Soup

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As I have mentioned in the last couple of posts, it is crazy hot here! Yet, I have made this Potato-Leek Soup a couple of times recently. We love soup around here and when I came across this recipe in Everyday Food I was anxious to make it.

The recipe was included in a section on using up leftover mashed potatoes. My friend Chad turned me on to refrigerated mashed potatoes made by Yoder's. I know the foodies out there will turn their nose up at using prepared mashed potatoes, but I'm telling ya they are THE BOMB! I love homemade mashed potatoes, but they are a lot of work! I may even like Yoder's better than any homemade mashed potatoes I have made and they have become a must-have-on-hand-at-all-times ingredient for me.

I followed the recipe as written the first time by sauteing leeks in butter and then adding chicken stock, thyme and mashed potatoes. Deliciously creamy and full of flavor, it was a hit with my daughter and me but my husband thought it needed some diced potatoes. Second time around, I sauteed the leeks in bacon fat and added diced Yukon Gold potatoes finishing with crumbled bacon to which the hubby gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to. Either way, this is a simple, easy, and delicious soup that will be a regular on our menu regardless of the temperature outside!

Potato-Leek Soup

Everyday Food, April 2010

1 teaspoon butter

1 cup leeks, chopped, white and light-green parts only, halved lengthwise and rinsed well

3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock

1/2 cup water

3 sprigs thyme

salt and pepper

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat. Add leeks and cook, sitrring, until softened, 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, water, and thyme and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and whisk in 2 cups mashed potatoes. Simmer until warmed through; season with coarse salt and ground pepper.

Or: Fry 3 pieces of chopped bacon. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Add butter and cook leeks in bacon fat and butter. Add 3/4 cup diced Yukon Gold potatoes to broth and cook until potatoes tender.