Leek and Potato Soup

The first time I tried Leek and Potato Soup was at a California Pizza Kitchen. I was in junior high, and I had never even heard of a leek! I was glad that I went ahead and tried it because it was such a delicious soup! My sister sent me this Julia Child recipe several weeks ago after she made it. This was fantastic! It's the first Julia Child recipe I've ever made and hopefully not the last! It has surprisingly little butter for a Julia Child recipe, and many options so you can personalize the soup to your taste.

Leek and Potato Soup

Makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons butter

3 cups sliced or minced leeks (white parts only), or onions, or a combination of both

3 Tablespoons flour

2 quarts hot water (or 4 to 6 cups water plus milk added at end of cooking)

1 Tablespoon salt, pepper to taste

Optional: a cup or so of tender green part of the leeks, sliced or minced

4 cups (about 1 1/2) potatoes, peeled, and roughly chopped

1/3 to 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream (I used light sour cream)

2 to 3 Tablespoons butter, optional (I omitted)

2 to 3 Tablespoon minced fresh parsley and/or chives

Directions:

1. Melt butter over moderate heat in a 3- to 4-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the leeks and/or onions, cover pan, and cook slowly for 5 minutes without browning.

2. Blend in the flour, and stir over moderate heat for 2 minutes to cook the flour without browning. Remove from heat, let cool a moment, and gradually beat in a cup of hot water. Blend thoroughly with the flour and vegetables, then stir in the rest of the water. Note: If you want to use milk, add it at the end of the cooking - it will curdle if you add it now.) I used 6 cups water now and 2 cups milk at the end.

3. Stir in the salt and pepper, optional green of leeks, and the potatoes. Bring to a boil, and simmer partially covered for 40 minutes, or until vegetables are thoroughly tender.

4. For a peasant-type soup, mash the vegetables in the pan with a mixing fork or potato masher. For a smoother texture, put through medium blade of a food mill. I used an immersion blender and it worked perfectly.

5. "Final enrichments": To serve the soup, stir in the milk if using, and blend in as much of the cream/sour cream as you wish. Add salt and pepper to taste. Off heat, stir in the extra butter if desired. Decorate each serving with more cream/sour cream and a sprinkling of herbs.

Source: Julia Child's Kitchen