At least once a week, sometimes more, I take dinner to my parents. We have a rotation of their favorite dishes but every now and then we try to think of something new. A few weeks ago my dad suggested potato soup but followed it up with the comment that his mother made the best potato soup ever. OK. Was that a challenge? I am not the cook my Grandma was for sure, but I felt like I needed to see what I could come up with. I knew I had an old recipe given to me by a neighbor but I hadn’t made it in years. I dug it out and got started. One of the ingredients that gives this recipe its amazing flavor is the addition of a leek. If you are like me, the first time I made this soup, I wasn’t sure what a leek was. It looks like a giant green onion but has a very different taste. To prepare a leek just chop off both ends and discard. You should have about a 6 inch piece that includes both the green and white parts. It has a lot of layers so wash it very well under running water. Slice it in half length-wise, then slice each half in thirds. Finely chop the 6 slices and add it to your pot. If the layers sort of fall apart just keep chopping. That’s all there is to it.
UPDATE 12/18/2015: I feel like I need to say something about my method for chopping a leek. I have had comments on Pinterest from people saying that this method wastes too much of the leek. One woman even called me out on Twitter. If you want to use the whole leek, by all means do so. Personally, I don’t like the dark green ends so I always cut them off. Who knew that a leek could cause such controversy? Ha!
The only thing I didn’t like about this recipe was the fact that it took two pots. Other than that, it was easy and quick.
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- 1 small onion chopped
- 1/2 to 1 c. chopped celery
- 1 leek finely chopped
- 3 large potatoes or 6 regular size red potatoes peeled and chopped in 1/2 in. cubes
- 4 T. butter
- 1 box chicken broth 32 oz.
- 5 T. butter
- 1/3 c. Flour
- 1 c. half and half
- 1 c. Milk
Ingredients
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- In a large soup pot on medium heat melt 4 T. butter. Add onion, celery and leek. Saute for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and potatoes. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are fork soft.
- In a separate sauce pan, melt 5 T. butter. Add flour and whisk. Combine milk with half-and-half. Slowly pour into flour/butter mixture. Whisk constantly until it comes to a full boil and thickens.
- Add the milk mixture to the potato/chicken broth pot. Simmer for a few minutes stirring to mix well.
- Serve with grated cheese.
Variation: Clam Chowder
Drain 2 cans of clams reserving the clam juice. Add the clam juice when you add the chicken broth. Add the reserved clams at the very end right before serving.
Both my parents gave it their stamp of approval although my dad did mention he didn’t think his mother’s recipe called for chicken broth. Oh well…can’t win them all. I asked if they wanted it added to the winter rotation and they both said yes. Whew. I try to test all my recipes twice if I can before I post them. The second time I made this I added clams and clam juice to make a New England Clam Chowder. It was really good and got the thumbs up from my husband. Click the graphic below for more Sunday Supper suggestions!
I hope to be back one more time before Christmas so…see you soon.
Ann, I made this tonight and it was so easy and SO GOOD! Next time I will try the clam chowder variation, but this soup stands alone perfectly! I did add a little bacon and chives along with the cheese as a garnish, but it wasn’t really necessary. My husband literally licked the pot clean! Thank you for all you do for us with your site….your recipes and decor ideas are simple yet elegant and they don’t break the bank in the least.
Ann. I have a fix for your two pot issue. After sauté onions leeks etc, add flour on to those. And then add broth. Boil. Then add milk after potatoes done. I also add cauliflower. Love your blog!
This looks great. I need to pop some in the slow cooker and have it be ready when I get home from work. Thanks for the tip of working with leeks.
my mother made the same soup,I love this !!
Mmmm! I’m guessing some crisply fried bacon would be a wonderful addition to your potato soup.
Have NEVER cooked a leek. Have always been afraid to try. Thanks especially for the howto of cleaning and cutting. My son loves clam chowder. Will try the recipe. Am new to your site, but love it,
Hi Wil…thank you for taking the time to say hi. Welcome to On Sutton Place!
Will have to use leek next time in my potato soup. I always put a dash of cayenne pepper in our potato soup. Really gives it a nice flavor.
I like potato soup and this recipe looks easy and tasty thanks for your great blogs!
Great! I love almost any soup, but potato soup and/or clam chowder are very satisfying and filling, and really fit the bill on these cold (and sometimes nasty) days. Well Ann, you did it again….came up with another winner. I’ll be trying this one. Hope it freezes well.
Thanks, and enjoy the upcoming holidays.
My Mother never added chicken broth either, but used whole milk from our cow. She also made cornbread griddle cakes for us. This recipes brings back happy memories. Merry Christmas. I enjoy your blog.
we love potato leek soup…but YES you must wash well…then some more…it’s a very sandy veggie…
I had wonderful potato leek soup at my son’s wedding…it was divine. Haven’t found a recipe until now. This sounds like a great place to start! Thanks! ;)
Thanks Ann. Always looking for good soup recipes. I will be trying it with the clams. Also, it seems it would be good with cooked and chopped thick sliced bacon pieces. I’ll try that and let you know how that turns out. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
I have not incorporate leeks in any of my soups. Try something new will be my New Years revolution. Have a very Merry Christmas Ann with your family. My sister lives close by to our mom and helps with meals, besides cleaning and such. Very blessed to have her nearby. Kathleen in Az
This looks delicious! I am going to go for the New England Clam Chowder – my family loves it but I’ve never tried to make it myself. P.S. I always add chicken broth to my soups!
Thanks for sharing!
Shelia
This sounds yummy! I have never used a leek in potatoe soup, so I am going to try it for something different. It is just in time for the cold dreary days we are having. Merry Christmas!
I love any kind of soup and also love leeks. I soak mine in cold water and ice for about 20 minutes before using them to get most of the sand out of them. I bet your Dad will love it.
LOL! Your Dad cracks me up! It looks delish. We love leeks. I will have to try this.
Not being a lover of potatoes I have never made potato soup but hubby and son might like it, so will give your recipe a try. Using a leek will be a new experience. Your a good daughter taking your parents dinner once a week, I am sure they appreciate it. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and family.
I came across your blog when I was searching for free printables! I love your style and I will def give this recipe a try! It’s actually cold in Arizona right now so this soup is perfect ! Thank you so much!
Potato soup is one of our family favorites and now we have another favorite to add to our list of soups – Shaker Chicken Noodle Soup. I’ll try a leek next time I make potato soup which is on the menu for next weekend. Keep the delicious recipes coming, Ann.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I made your soup today for my husband and myself. We both liked it. I will definitely make it again.
Dear Ann, Just wanted to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year. I just love all your ideas and recipes. I look forward every day to hearing from you. Keep it going Ann!
Thank you so much for the picture of the leek with the cutting lines…I never knew how to use leeks. I do have a potato soup recipe that I love too but would like to add leeks and now I can! Your recipe sounds delicious and I thought the chicken broth was a great idea….
Thank you Ann for another yummy recipe. I enjoy all your posts and wonderful ideas.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
This recipe sounds delicous and comforting! I make soups in the winter and I plan to add it to my rotation :)
I have so enjoyed all your December/Christmas posts this year!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Heather in Canada