Heavenly Roasted Garlic & Leek Velvet Soup
Indulge in a bowl of pure comfort with this Heavenly Roasted Garlic & Leek Velvet Soup. The rich, velvety texture and savory flavors make it the perfect dish for any occasion, especially a cozy evening with your loved one. Roasting the garlic transforms its sharpness into a delightful sweetness, infusing the soup with a luxurious depth. Serve this exquisite soup with a side of crisp French bread, perfect for soaking up every last drop. Whether enjoying it on a chilly night or celebrating a special moment, this soup promises to warm your heart and soul.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic heads
4 (unpeeled)
Olive oil
1/4 cup
Unsalted butter
6 tablespoons
Leeks
4 (white part only, about 4 cups sliced, rinsed very well)
Onion
1 (diced)
All-purpose flour
1/4 cup
Vegetable stock
4 cups (hot)
Dry sherry
1/3 cup
Whipping cream
1 cup
Fresh lemon juice
to taste
Salt
to taste
Fresh white pepper
to taste
Garlic cloves
2 (sliced very thinly)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons
Chives
to taste (minced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Slice off the top 1/4 inch from each head of garlic to expose the cloves.
3
Place the garlic heads in a small, shallow baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
4
Season the garlic with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
5
Roast in the oven until the garlic is golden and soft, about 1 hour. Let it cool slightly before handling.
6
Once cool enough to touch, squeeze the individual garlic cloves out of their skins – they should come out easily, resembling buttery goodness. Chop the roasted garlic finely.
7
In a large heavy saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
8
Add the sliced leeks and the diced onion, sautéing until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in the chopped roasted garlic.
9
Lower the heat and sprinkle in the flour, cooking for another 5 minutes while stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
10
Gradually whisk in the hot vegetable stock and sherry, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
11
Remove from heat and allow the soup to cool slightly. Puree in batches using a blender or food processor until smooth.
12
Return the pureed soup to the saucepan and stir in the whipping cream. Simmer on low heat until the soup thickens, about 10 minutes.
13
In a separate skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the thin garlic slices and sauté until they are crisp and golden brown.
14
Finish the soup by adding fresh lemon juice to taste and seasoning with salt and white pepper as desired.
15
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the crispy garlic slices and minced chives.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the flavor profile of Heavenly Roasted Garlic & Leek Velvet Soup?
This soup features a rich, velvety texture with savory flavors. Roasting the garlic transforms its natural sharpness into a delightful sweetness, providing a luxurious depth to the dish.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The recipe yields 6 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature for roasting the garlic?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long should I roast the garlic heads?
Roast the garlic heads for approximately 1 hour until they are golden and soft.
How do I prepare the garlic heads for roasting?
Slice off the top 1/4 inch from each head to expose the cloves, place them in a baking dish, and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
How do I extract the roasted garlic from the skins?
Once the garlic has cooled slightly, squeeze the individual cloves out of their skins; they should come out easily with a buttery consistency.
What part of the leeks should be used in the soup?
Use the white parts of the leeks only, which should equal about 4 cups once sliced and rinsed well.
How long should I sauté the leeks and onions?
Sauté the sliced leeks and diced onion for about 8 minutes until the onion is translucent.
What is the purpose of adding flour to the sautéed vegetables?
The flour acts as a thickening agent for the soup. It should be cooked for 5 minutes over low heat while stirring to prevent browning.
What type of stock is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of hot vegetable stock.
Is there alcohol in the Heavenly Roasted Garlic & Leek Velvet Soup?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/3 cup of dry sherry to add complexity to the flavor.
How long does the soup simmer after adding the stock and sherry?
The mixture should simmer for about 20 minutes.
How is the soup made smooth?
The soup is pureed in batches using a blender or food processor until it reaches a smooth consistency.
When should the whipping cream be added?
Stir in the whipping cream after the soup has been pureed and returned to the saucepan.
How long do I simmer the soup after adding the cream?
Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes until the soup thickens.
What is used to garnish the soup?
Garnish each bowl with crispy sautéed garlic slices and minced chives.
How do I make the crispy garlic garnish?
Sauté two thinly sliced garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until they are golden brown.
What provides the final acidic balance to the soup?
Fresh lemon juice is added at the end to taste to balance the richness of the soup.
What kind of pepper is recommended for seasoning?
Fresh white pepper is recommended to maintain the soup's light, creamy color.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe specifies 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter to better control the overall salt levels.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is perfect when served with crisp French bread to soak up the soup.
What is the category of this recipe?
It is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
How many garlic heads are needed for the base of the soup?
You will need 4 heads of garlic for the roasting phase.
How much olive oil is used in total?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup for roasting the garlic and 2 tablespoons for frying the garnish.
Is this soup suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, as it uses vegetable stock and no meat products.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include soup, comfort food, garlic, leek, roasted garlic soup, valentine's day, and vegetable soup.
Why is it called 'Velvet' soup?
It is called 'Velvet' due to its smooth, pureed texture and the inclusion of whipping cream.
How much flour is required?
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour is required.
What is the total count of ingredients?
There are 15 ingredients in this recipe.
When should the roasted garlic be added to the pot?
The chopped roasted garlic should be stirred in after the onions and leeks have finished sautéing.