Potato and Leek Soup

I am trying to cook some different vegetables.  I admit I love watching the food network.  I have seen several of the chefs using leeks lately.  I have never knowingly eaten leeks nor cooked with them.  So, I decided to give it a try with potato and leek soup and a recipe a found in the food network magazine.

Here is the base recipe, but I always change it up depending on what I have and what I think will actually taste good:

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 large leeks, white and light green party only, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 and 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1. Cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp.  Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.  Add the leeks and garlic and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add the broth, 2 cups water, the potatoes and salt and pepper; cover and bring to a boil.  Simmer until potatoes are tender.
2. Puree half the coup in a blender, then return to the pot.  Add the cream and bring to a simmer.  Add the peas and cook until tender.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve topped with croutons, bacon and parsley.

I bought a bunch of 3 medium leeks.  They look like giant green onions.  So, you can pretend you are on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.  (It was on TV the other day.)

I sliced them and put them in a bowl of water.  Everyone warns you to wash between the layers really well because dirt and sand can be caught in between the layers.

   

Mmmm…. BACON!  I thought about just eating the bacon pieces for dinner because really what else do you need? 

After the bacon was done, I chopped up the potatoes and cooked up the leeks in the pan.

Once the leeks are cooked up, I added chicken broth and the potatoes to boil.

Eventually, the potatoes were all nice and tender and I added some peas!  It takes almost zero time for the frozen peas to cook up.  Before long, my boyfriend and I had some yummy soup for dinner. 

Top the soup with some of that delish bacon and cheddar.  It was really good.  I had a bowl with some grilled cheese!  Be jealous!  :)

I liked the leeks.  They were really goooooooooood!  In fact, I wished I had more leeks and less potato in the soup. 

I want to try a leek salad that I saw on food network soon!  I bet it is going to be good!