There is nothing more warming after a day cheering the children from the sidelines in the cold wind and pouring rain than a steaming bowl of soup. To serve with warm crusty homemade bread you either neither to be ultra efficient or have a partner in crime to put in the oven as you are on your way home. These days lots of places sell freshly baked so I am guilty of resorting to picking up a loaf on the way.
Many soups need to be made early on and left to cook but this one I can get away with making and serving once all the potatoes are soft and falling apart. Just time enough for them to get out of the shower as I throw the ingredients together and then I can shower and warm whilst it cooks.
Ingredients
Oil
Onions chopped
Leeks sliced lots I like it thick and warming
Potatoes cut into small pieces – again lots
Sherry – a good splash of this
Chicken stock
Cream and parsley for decoration
Heat the oil gently then add the onions and leeks . Let them soften rather than fry. It will not take long so be careful to keep an eye as they can turn quickly.
Add the potatoes. Stir well then add the good splash of sherry – this is of course optional but the alcohol cooks off and the piquancy of the sherry brings out a fresh depth of flavour in the potatoes.
Add the chicken stock and bring it to the boil. If there is not enough liquid, water can be added or if you have some vegetable water add this. Once boiling turn it to simmer and allow the potatoes to soften and fall apart when touched with a knife probably about 20 minutes.
I use my hand blender in the pan but some people prefer to liquidise and place in a fresh pan. Serve it from the pan or add to your soup tureen and decorate with the cream and parsley. Serve with a warm crusty bed and feel the warmth radiate from your insides. Windy wet sports pitches will be a distant memory in no time.
Enjoy, let me know what you do to your soups to enhance them. When do you enjoy a bowl of steaming soup?
I always try to make extra for the week ahead, unfortunately one bowl is never enough so there is never any left for my weekday lunches.
Tiggy
Have a look at what I have been up to on my other blog Tiggy Hayes