Yummy Soups Made Easy

[Ms.Huxtable]

So bouche and I were the lucky recipients of Julia Childs "The Art of French Cooking". I don't care if I have gained ten pounds, that book is fantastic!

One of the best lessons I have learned from the book is a potato leek soup which is to die for, but what makes it even more special is that once it's made, it can then be the base for almost any other soup. The recipe makes a lot so out of the left overs just add anything you think would work, puree it and voila, you have a new soup.

Some ideas:

Watercress

Herbs

Tomatoes

Corn

Broccoli

Asparagus

Last night we had Mexican so I used leftover potato leek soup and added a roasted red pepper and a chipotle pepper with some adobo sauce. It was such a different soup but was SO good and easy.

Here's the initial recipe (also easy as hell):

(Oh and if you eat this cold it's caled Vichyssoise!)

4 cups sliced leeks, white part only

4 cups diced potatoes, old or baking potatoes recommended

6 to 7 cups water

1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt or to taste

4-6 Tbsp cup or more sour cream, whipping cream, or crème fraîche

1 Tbsp butter.

1 Tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, minced for garnish.

Bring the leeks, potatoes and water to the boil in the saucepan. Salt lightly, cover partially, and simmer 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Purée the soup. Taste, and correct seasoning.

Serve hot or cold.

Top each serving with a sprinkle of chives or parsley.

Enjoy!!

[Ms.Huxtable]

Tonight we're having fish so I transformed the last of our potato leek soup with some lemon juice and dill.

Mmmmm. I'm telling you, it took me 30 seconds to make a brand new soup! I fuckin love this method!

[Davey Boy 2.0]

nicety nice

[AdamH]

Nice one. Hopefully we'll have leeks soon at lansdowne. Instead of whipping cream I can make this 100-mile friendly by mixing yogurt and light cream and letting it stand for a day at room temperature - creating creme fraiche.