Alton Brown - Potato Leek Soup

Submitted by ala-kat

"This is a really good soup... I usually throw in an additional potato. The buttermilk & white pepper really make it for me."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 35mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 lb leek, cleaned and dark green sections removed, approximately 4 to 5 medium
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 pinch kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
• 14 ounces yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced small, approximately 3 small
• 1 quart vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon chives, snipped

directions

1. Chop the leeks into small pieces.
2. In a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks and a heavy pinch of salt and sweat for 5 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook until the leeks are tender, approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the potatoes and the vegetable broth, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and gently simmer until the potatoes are soft, approximately 45 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and puree the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in the heavy cream, buttermilk, and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately, or chill and serve cold.

Reviews

[kda949]

It got 5 stars on the Food Network website so I decided to try it instead of my normal Potato Leek Soup recipe. The recipes are similar, but my normal recipe uses bacon, which I really missed in this one (although I'm sure my thighs didn't!). I think next time I will brown a couple slices of bacon and cook the leeks in a little of the bacon fat. The rest I will leave, as I really like the buttermilk in this recipe (I cheated and soured milk with vinegar, next time I might break down and buy the real stuff). I also used half and half instead of cream as I had some that needed to be used up. Yes, I will make it again... but I plan on tweeking it a little.

 

[Donna L.]

This is hands down one of the best soup recipes I have ever had. This has the right amount of tang through the buttermilk which plays against the leeks beautifully. The flavors are equisitely harmonious and this recipe is a restaurant-quality soup. This is my all-time favorite soup and I can make it myself!

 

[Wendy S.]

This is my first homemade soup. It was simple to make. I added a pinch of garlic and used gluten free broth. My son topped it with bacon; I topped with roasted chicken strips

 

[sholman77]

This is wonderful. You really can't tell it's mostly broth rather than cream. I would double the amount of potato in it and wouldn't puree it. The bits of potato make it perfect!