Leeky Leeky Boom Boom

 

  

  

  

 

My sister gave Bryan this incredible cook book for Christmas that has turned out to be a gift for both of us. It's called The French Market and I believe she picked it up at Anthropologie (oh, how I love thee). And what's so wonderful about this book is that the recipes are deceptively simple. I immediately shy away from cooking anything with a laundry list of ingredients, it's just not my forte. But this is a clean, very French approach to cooking simple comfort foods that, frankly, who wouldn't love?

So I tried my hand at the appropriately titled Potage Bonne Femme, otherwise known as The Good Wife's Soup. Basically a version of a traditional potato leek soup. Easy enough. However, I've had my fair share of potato leek soups in the past and this left all of them in the dust. I think it's due entirely to the fact that you make a flour rue of sorts that hold the entire soup together ending up with this rich, velvety, thick deliciousness. That and the fact that the recipe literally calls for melting in 2 triangles of Laughing Cow cheese at the end. Formidable!

Here's the basic gist:

Melt a couple tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large saucepan, adding 1 pound of chopped leeks* (only the white and pale green parts), and 1.25 pounds peeled and diced baking potatoes. I like Idaho potatoes for a job like this -they soften up really nicely and have lots of flavor. Once the veggies are softened (not browned!) add 2 tablespoons of flour, stirring and cooking for another minute. Add 1 quart stock (I used veggie and it was more than fine), season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Put heat on medium and let simmer for about 20 minutes. Puree soup (a hand blender works perfectly) and add your cheese! You might have to break it up with the back of your wooden spoon but don't go crazy because trust me - it's unbelievably yummy to be slurping up your soup and happen upon a delicious chunk of soft cheese.
Add some chopped chives for color and serve. P.s. this soups is just as good reheated too!

*Note: regarding the leeks be SURE to wash these puppies thoroughly. I like to slice them lengthwise and run the whole thing underwater. Dirt lurks in all the folds so really get in there. Nothing ruins a perfectly good meal quite like a crunchy grain of dirt. Yuk.