Creamy Irish Potato & Leek Delight
Indulge in this creamy Irish Potato & Leek Delight, a heartwarming soup inspired by traditional Irish cooking. Perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day or any chilly evening, this dish is a crowd-pleaser featuring the earthy flavors of leeks and the comforting heartiness of potatoes. With a rich, buttery base and topped with crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh chives, this soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavors and warmth. Whether served as an appetizer or a main dish, this soup is sure to satisfy your taste buds and warm your soul.
10
Servings
220
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1/2 cup ((1 stick))
onion
1 medium (thinly sliced)
leeks
3 (thinly sliced, using only the bottom part and rinsed to remove grit)
baking potatoes
3 large (peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices)
chicken broth
3 cans ((14 1/2 ounces each))
salt
1 teaspoon
ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
shredded cheddar cheese
to taste (for topping)
crumbled cooked bacon
to taste (for topping)
chopped fresh chives
to taste (for topping)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced onion and leeks to the melted butter. Cover the pot and let them cook gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent.
2
Once the onions and leeks are softened, add the sliced potatoes to the saucepan, cover again, and let cook for an additional 15 minutes.
3
Next, pour in the chicken broth, add the salt and pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
4
Remove the pot from heat and allow the soup to cool slightly. Then, carefully process the soup in batches in a blender until it reaches a smooth consistency, being sure to scrape down the sides as needed.
5
Return the blended soup to the saucepan, and heat it over medium heat until warmed through.
6
Serve hot, garnished with your choice of shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped fresh chives for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
15
Fat
15
Carbs
4
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Irish Potato & Leek Delight?
It is a heartwarming, creamy soup inspired by traditional Irish cooking, featuring leeks and potatoes in a rich, buttery base.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include unsalted butter, onion, leeks, baking potatoes, and chicken broth.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 220 calories.
Is this recipe suitable for St. Patrick's Day?
Yes, it is a perfect dish for celebrating St. Patrick's Day or any chilly evening.
What kind of potatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for three large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
How should I prepare the leeks?
Use only the bottom parts of three leeks, thinly slice them, and rinse thoroughly to remove any grit.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 15 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in this soup?
Each serving provides 4 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count for this recipe?
This soup contains 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should I cook the onions and leeks?
Cook them gently in melted butter for about 20 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
When do I add the potatoes to the pot?
Add the sliced potatoes after the onions and leeks have softened, then cook for an additional 15 minutes.
How long do the potatoes need to simmer in the broth?
Simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
How do I make the soup smooth?
After cooling slightly, process the soup in batches in a blender until it reaches a smooth consistency.
What garnishes are recommended for this soup?
It is best served topped with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, and chopped fresh chives.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but you may want to reduce the additional teaspoon of salt to avoid over-salting the dish.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You will need three 14.5-ounce cans of chicken broth.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yes, the recipe specifies that the baking potatoes should be peeled.
Is this soup served hot or cold?
This soup is intended to be served hot.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the bacon garnish.
What size onion is required?
The recipe calls for one medium onion, thinly sliced.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Can I use an immersion blender?
Yes, an immersion blender can be used directly in the pot as an alternative to a traditional blender.
Should the pot be covered during the initial cooking steps?
Yes, cover the pot while cooking the onions, leeks, and later the potatoes to trap moisture.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for home cooks.
What is the category of this dish?
This dish is categorized under Potato recipes.
Does this recipe include fiber information?
No, fiber information is not provided for this specific recipe.
Can I serve this as an appetizer?
Absolutely, it works well as both an appetizer and a main dish.
Why is it important to rinse the leeks?
Leeks often grow in sandy soil, so rinsing them after slicing is necessary to remove any trapped grit.