Ingredients

The following ingredients have 7 Servings
  • 50g butter
  • 450g potatoes, peeled and cut into 1cm pieces (try Golden Wonders or Kerr Pinks)
  • 1 small onion, cut the same size as the potatoes
  • 450g white parts of leeks, sliced (save the green tops for another soup or stock)
  • 850ml-1.2litres/1.5-2pts light chicken or vegetable stock
  • 142ml carton whipping cream
  • 125ml full-fat milk
  • the white part of 1 leek
  • a small knob of butter
  • finely chopped chives

Instruction

  • Melt 50g butter in a heavy saucepan. When it foams, add 450g potatoes, cut into 1cm cubes, 1 small onion, cut the same as the potatoes, and 450g white parts of leeks, sliced and toss them in the butter until they are well coated.
  • Season well with salt and freshly ground pepper and toss again. Put a disc of greaseproof paper (called a cartouche by chefs) on top of the vegetables to keep in the steam), then cover the pan with its lid.
  • Cook over a gentle heat for 10 mins, or until the vegetables are soft but not coloured.
  • Uncover the pan and discard the paper. Pour in 850ml of the light chicken or vegetable stock, bring to the boil and simmer until the vegetables are just cooked – about 5 minutes. Do not overcook or the soup will lose its fresh flavour.
  • Purée in a blender until silky smooth, in batches if necessary, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Return the soup to a clean pan and stir in three quarters of a 142ml carton of whipping cream and 125ml full-fat milk.
  • To finish the soup, finely shred the white part of 1 leek and gently cook it in a small knob of hot butter for a few mins until it is softened but not coloured.
  • Reheat the soup to a gentle simmer (add some extra stock at this point if the soup is too thick for your liking), then pour into warmed bowls.
  • Drizzle the remaining cream over each serving, top with a little pile of buttered leeks and a scattering of chives and black pepper and serve at once.