Potato and Leek Soup

By johnwhorfin

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small fennel bulb—halved, cored and chopped
• 1 medium celery rib, thinly sliced
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 1 thyme sprig
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• Salt
• 8 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped tarragon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• White pepper

Details

Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

How to Make It

Step 1

In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the leek, onion, fennel, celery, shallot, thyme, garlic and a generous pinch of salt and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and just starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the stock, potatoes, 2 tablespoons of the parsley and 1 tablespoon of the tarragon. Bring to a boil, then simmer over moderately low heat until the vegetables are very tender, about 40 minutes.

Step 2

Add the cream to the saucepan and simmer over moderate heat until slightly thickened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon each of parsley and tarragon and season the soup with salt and white pepper; discard the thyme sprig. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

Make Ahead

The soup can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.