Potato Leek Soup

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 large leeks, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped (about 5 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds golf potatoes, peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • 7 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large soup pot.
  2. Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until soft and wilted, about 10 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary so as not to brown.
  3. Add the potatoes, broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper to pot and bring to a boil.
  4. Cover and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are very soft.
  5. Fish out the thyme sprig and bay leaves, then purée the soup with a hand-held immersion blender until smooth.
  6. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.