Potato Leek Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

8 medium Russet potatoes
6 medium leeks
Half stick of butter
2 medium onions
8 cups chicken stock
2 cups half and half
1 cup milk (skim or otherwise fine)
Pound of bacon
Salt / Pepper
Sour Cream

Get a big ol' soup pot. . .melt butter in the bottom. . .

Add minced leeks and onions (I use a food processor) and saute for 10-15 minutes - until the aroma starts to make you crazy (or, onions are transparent);

Add shredded potatoes (again, I use food processor). . .or, slice/chunk them up. . . don't bother paring - but, it is a good idea to wash them;  Toss with onions/leeks/butter.
Add chicken stock. . .bring to simmer for 30-40 minutes.

This next part can be tricky.

After the potatoes are softened, you can use an immersion blender to puree right in the pot.  If you don't have said appliance, you can ladle into your regular blender and puree.  If you use your regular blender, you'll need to puree in batches - do NOT fill more than a third of the blender. . . otherwise, you'll have hot soup spraying around your kitchen.  Yes, I did.  No matter how you do it, get the potatoes mostly all pureed - some chunks are OK.

Cook for a while. . .stir, have a glass of wine.

Take off heat, let cool overnight.  Have more wine.

The next morning, make coffee, check your email, and put the pot on the stove over low heat.

Add the cream and milk - stir thoroughly.  Have more coffee.

Cut bacon into half inch chunks and cook over medium heat in your favorite cast iron skillet.  If you don't have a favorite, learn to commit. Do not burn!

Drain bacon - add drippings to soup. . .it does seem naughty, but it is well, well worth it.  Stir.

Reserve cooked bacon to garnish soup.

Cook for a while - stirring as you remember (low heat, don't burn). .. taste often and see if you need salt or pepper - most likely, you do.

Serve warm with bacon and sour cream garnish. . .  enjoy.







All images reported to be in the public domain and found at the following websites:  

http://publicphoto.org/vegetables/leek/

http://inspireandindulge.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/jons-homemade-bacon-basil-pesto/

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=8795&picture=potatoes