Recipe: A Special Treat with Herbal-Infused Potato Leek Soup

Closely related to onions, leeks originated from the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Visually, they resemble green onions or scallions, albeit with a considerably larger size. Possessing a moderate flavor, they are easy to prepare, making them a popular ingredient in dishes such as Crostini, casseroles, soups and a variety of meat based entrees. The freshest leeks can be purchased in fall and enjoyed throughout winter and spring.

This herb infused potato leek soup is creamy and delicious. Whether you are preparing it as a side dish to accompany your meal course or as a meal on its own, it can serve up to four people. Requiring only 10 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook, it is an easy recipe for beginners and you can customize it with your choice of ingredients such as hot sauce and bacon!

List of Ingredients You Will Need

• One tablespoon of cooking oil
• One teaspoon of dry herb infused oil, which you have blended beforehand
• One teaspoon of hot sauce
• Four cups of low sodium chicken stock
• Three large leeks with their green and white portions soaked and chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Four slices of cooked diced bacon
• Potatoes

 Preparing the Soup

Simply follow the steps below to prepare this special herbal-infused potato and leek soup:

• Set your stove to moderate low heat and heat up the cooking oil.
• Sauté the leeks for approximately ten minutes or until they become soft.
• Add your potatoes into the pot and stir them. Next, add the cups of chicken stock and cover the pot.
• Let the mixture cook for 30 minutes, making sure the potatoes have become soft.
• When the soup is done, add it into your botanical infuser until it is ½ full. From here, select “Blend” mode and blend until smooth. Add more batches of soup until the entire pot has been blended.
• Transfer the blended mixture back into the pot and stir in the salt, pepper hot sauce and dry herb-infused oil to taste.
• Sprinkle the bacon on top and your soup is ready to serve!

Additional Cooking Tips for Leeks

Leeks can be braised, roasted, fried or boiled. They can also be caramelized or sautéed using olive oil and butter. Regardless of how you choose to cook your leeks, make sure never to overcook them or they can become mushy or slimy. You will know when your leeks are done cooking as they will become tender. If done correctly, they can be pierced using a fork without using too much force.

When preparing leeks for use in recipes, you will want to start by cutting away their roots and the darkest portion of the green heads. The end result will be an edible white-colored stalk with lighter greens leaves, which should be cut lengthwise in quarters and then rinsed to get rid of the debris and dirt. Once you’ve dried them, simply slice, dice or chop as desired!