Food Network: Potato and Leek Soup

	Print 4x6 Recipe Cards
	Print this recipe out and cut along the dotted lines to add this 4x6 recipe card to your personal collection.

Potato and Leek Soup
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2003

Ingredients
1 large or 2 small leeks, about 1 pound
2 bay leaves
20 black peppercorns
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons butter
2 strips bacon, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
5 cups chicken stock
1 to 1 1/4 pounds russet potatoes, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cup creme fraiche or heavy cream
2 tablespoons snipped chives

Instructions
Trim the green portions of the leek and, using 2 of the largest and
longest leaves, make a bouquet garni by folding the 2 leaves around the bay leaves, peppercorns and
thyme. Tie into a package-shaped bundle with kitchen twine and set aside. (Alternately, tie 2 leek
leaves, bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme together in a piece of cheesecloth.)

Using a sharp knife, halve the white part of the leek lengthwise and rinse well under cold running
water to rid the leek of any sand. Slice thinly crosswise and set aside.

In a large soup pot over medium heat, melt the butter and add the bacon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes,
stirring occasionally, until the bacon is very soft and has rendered most of its fat. Add the
chopped leeks and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the
reserved bouquet garni, chicken stock, potatoes, salt and white pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce
the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are falling apart and the soup
is very flavorful.

Remove the bouquet garni and, working in batches, puree the soup in a food processor or blender.
(Alternately, if you own an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot.) Stir in the

creme fraiche and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve immediately, with some of the snipped
chives sprinkled over the top of each bowl of soup.