Potato Leek Soup

January 31, 2019

Potato Leek Soup (Photographs © Chris Miller, 2016)

Serves 4 to 6

active:
45 min

total:
1 hr

There’s nothing that soothes the soul like coming home after a long day of work to a steamy, creamy bowl of soup. Especially when that bowl of soup is made with luscious golden potatoes and aromatic leeks with just a touch of smokiness. What makes this soup even better is how quickly you’ll go from chopping potatoes to sitting at the table dunking French bread in your soup! If you have any leftover Quick Bacon Crumbles, they’re great sprinkled on top.

Gluten-free

Nut-free (no tree nuts)

Soy-free option (you can make it soy-free with switches)

Plan ahead. This recipe may require some advance preparations

Ingredients

Soup

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 leeks, thinly sliced (white and light green parts)

1 garlic clove, minced

2 pounds (910 g) Yukon gold potatoes, chopped

2 teaspoons dried rosemary

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground sage

3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth

2 cups (480 ml) water

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, optional

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Salt and black pepper to taste

Quick Bacon Crumbles, optional (see below)

Chopped green onions, optional

Quick Bacon Crumbles / Makes 2 cups (480 ML):

One 8-ounce (225 g) package tempeh (soy-free if necessary)

¼ cup (60 ml) liquid aminos

(or gluten-free tamari; use coconut aminos to be soy-free)

¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon liquid smoke

1 tablespoon maple syrup

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Black pepper to taste

Steps

Soup:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Add the potatoes, rosemary, thyme, sage, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat.

2. Add the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and liquid smoke. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth (or mostly smooth with a few potato chunks—your call). Alternatively, you can transfer the soup in batches to a blender and carefully blend until smooth.

3. Add salt and pepper. Serve topped with bacon crumbles and green onions, if desired. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 6 days.

Bacon Crumbles:

1. Line a plate with paper towels. Crumble the tempeh into small pieces and set aside.

2. Combine the liquid aminos, broth, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the liquid smoke, maple syrup, cumin, and garlic powder in a cup. Stir until combined.

3. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large frying pan, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Add the tempeh crumbles and toss to coat in oil. Cook for about 1 minute, then add the sauce. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed and the tempeh is tender with a crispy exterior.

4. Transfer the tempeh to the prepared plate to absorb any excess oil. Sprinkle with black pepper. Serve immediately. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

Recipe from But My Family Would Never Eat Vegan!: 125 Recipes to Win Everyone Over © Kristy Turner, 2016. Photographs © Chris Miller, 2016. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, The Experiment. Available wherever books are sold. theexperimentpublishing.com