Chilled Potato and Leek Soup - Vichyssoise

PaulaG's Note:

Most recipes for chilled potato soup have lots and lots of heavy cream thus fat. This recipe is very simple to put together and very low in fat. As it chills it becomes super thick and creamy. After having tried this both chilled and at room temperature, I highly recommend room temperature. The recipe is from William-Sonoma Essentials of Healthy Cooking.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 4 leeks , white part only, well cleaned, chopped
• 4 large green onions , white part only, chopped, with green tops reserved
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 lb yukon gold potato , peeled and diced
• 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper

Directions:

1. In a heavy saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the leeks, green onions and 1/2 cup of the chicken stock.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook until the vegetables have wilted and begin to soften, approximately 8 minutes.
3. Add the diced potatoes and remaining 2 1/2 cups chicken stock, replace the cover and cook until vegetables are very soft, 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, uncover and allow the soup to stand for 15 minutes to cool slightly; stir in the butter.
5. Very carefully transfer the hot vegetable mixture to blender container, puree until very smooth and in several batches if needed.
6. Season with salt and pepper; allow the soup to cool to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator.
7. When cool, cover and place in refrigerate until well chilled, 3 to 4 hours or serve at room temperature; adjusting seasoning if needed.
8. To serve, divide into individual serving bowls and garnish with some of the reserved green onion tops that have been thinly sliced.

Reviews

[Andrew Mollmann]

This was pretty good but I wasn't thrilled. I think it could use a bit more salt, perhaps 1/2t instead of 1/4. That said, it was thick and creamy even without an entire cup of heavy cream like most recipes.

[ladypit]

I wish I had more then 5 stars to give this soup. Absolutely divine. It is one of those things that are so good, but you can't quite figure out how it was that good with those few ingredients. I made this in the afternoon and let it sit until dinner. I served it as part of a cold dinner, along with a huge salad, and some pita and hummous. I used fat free vegetable broth instead of the chicken and I could see using margarine and serving this vegan too. Really wonderful recipe, Paula. Thanks!

[melewen]

Fantastic! I made this for my Bastille Day feast and it was easy, creamy, perfectly delicious. Pictures and reference featured on my blog: http://legallyeating.com/2009/07/14/vive-la-france-but-you-know-in-america/ Thanks PaulaG!!