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Irish Potato and Leek Soup

Irish Potato and Leek Soup
Via: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

This soup is full of flavor without being your typical cream soup. In fact, the cream is optional as this soup relies on potatoes for the creamy texture. Earthy and ever so slightly sweet- the flavors of the peas, leeks, and sautéed onions go so well with the plain goodness of potatoes. Celebrate Irish cuisine with this authentic Irish Potato and Leek Soup.

It’s no secret that potatoes have played an incredibly important role in Irish cuisine and history. Despite being a New World food, potatoes are well-suited to the soil and growing conditions of Ireland, a fact that has made them an indispensable crop for centuries.

Irish Potato and Leek Soup
Via: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

In the US today the hardest ingredient to source for this recipe are the leeks. They were once only found in specialty markets in the US. However, most supermarkets these days carry them. It’s worth it to track them down if you can since they add liveliness to this soup that is both sweet and earthy.

Irish Potato and Leek Soup
Via: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

A white onion and 2 Russet potatoes go into sauté with the chopped leeks. This gives them a bit of color and begins to caramelize the onions a bit, which adds to the characteristic flavor of this traditional soup.

Irish Potato and Leek Soup
Via: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

Once you’ve done that add the broth and simmer with the lid on. This step really cooks the potatoes and gets them to the fork tender stage.

Irish Potato and Leek Soup
Via: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

For the seasonings we’re not adding very much, just some salt and pepper. Irish cooking isn’t known for its spices, but in this soup the leeks and onions do the heavy lifting of adding flavor to the soup. If you want to add a little something extra I recommend a small pinch of white pepper to liven it up.

Irish Potato and Leek Soup
Via: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

The final touch is a bit of cream on top if you feel like it. You could also add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese or leave it plain. I can tell you that all of these ways to serve it are utterly delicious. This Irish Potato and Leek Soup is good home cooking that spans generations (and even oceans) to deliver comforting flavor.

Irish Potato and Leek Soup
Via: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

Yield(s): Serves 4-6

15m prep time

25m cook time

207 calories

5.0
Rated by 1 reviewers

Allergens: Milk

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Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 white onion, chopped
  • 3 large leeks, rinsed, trimmed, and sliced
  • 2 Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream for garnish (optional)
Preparation
  1. Melt butter in stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, leeks, and potato to pan. Sauté for 5 -8 minutes or until veggies are softened.
  2. Add stock and bring to simmer. Cover and let cook for 15 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
  3. Add peas and and cook for 5 minutes or until thawed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Using a ladle remove about 1/3 to 1/2 of the soup to a heat-safe container. Using a stick blender purée the soup in the stockpot. Add reserved soup back to pot and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Drizzle individual servings of soup with a bit of cream before serving if desired.

Recipe adapted from The View from Great Island.