J.P.’s Potato and Leek Soup

Some people aren’t sure what a leek looks like, so I thought I’d draw one.  Then I got carried away with a gardening memory from last summer.  What you see below is my rendition of the day I found the supposedly dignified Rouge Vif d’ Etemps Pumpkin plant dragging a poor innocent leek down the row by its throat.  It was funny for everyone but the Leek.   Silly pumpkin!  Leeks are for kids!



Pumpkin kidnaps a Leek!



Maybe not all kids like leeks, but mine sure do.  J.P. spotted the last bag in the freezer a few days ago and launched a campaign for soup until I let him loose in the kitchen.  He did a marvelous job!



Potato and Leek Soup



Recipe:

¼ - ½ cup butter

¼- ½ cup flour (equal to the butter)

2 cups milk

1 quart of chicken or vegetable broth

1 large or 2 medium leeks chopped

1 can of corn
6-10 small Yukon gold or red potatoes peeled and chopped

Salt & pepper to taste



The Last Veterans of the Great Pumkin Raid after Winter in the Freezer



First peel and chop the potatoes.



You don't need these pictures, but I'm proud of my kiddo!

Heat the butter to bubbling, toss in the leeks and sauté until they are soft and the house smells absolutely FABULOUS.



Leeks in the Butter

Dump in the flour and stir to make a paste.  (We missed pictures of this step because the neighbors stopped in with their adorable baby and JP and I were both so happily distracted that it was all we could do to remember to stir!)

Start adding the milk, little by little, stirring until you have a smooth paste before adding more.  Once you've added it all you should have a liquid base without lumps.  (If you’d like a richer soup you can use whole milk or even substitute a little bit of half-n-half for some of the milk.)



After the Milk has all been Added



Pour in the broth and dump in the diced potatoes and corn.  The smaller the chunks of potato, the faster they cook.



Ready to Simmer for a While



Let it simmer until the potato chunks are tender enough to break with the edge of a wooden spoon.  Taste, and add salt and pepper until it's just right.



Just about Ready

If you like a creamy soup, then stick the immersion blender into the pot and run it for a few seconds until you get the consistency that suits your fancy.



Making Creamy Soup

Last, but not least, share with the neighbors that let you hold their baby.



Cups for the Neighbors