Description
This Cozy Irish Veggie & Potato Leek Soup is a heartwarming and creamy blend of tender potatoes, sweet leeks, and fragrant thyme, simmered in rich vegetable broth. Perfect for chilly days, this simple yet comforting soup brings a traditional Irish touch to your table with a velvety texture and subtle savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 3 large leeks, cleaned and sliced into rings
- 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth for extra flavor
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pot: Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and melt the butter, listening for a gentle sizzle. This warms the pot and preps the butter for sautéing.
- Sauté the leeks: Add the sliced leeks to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become translucent, about 5 minutes. This step develops their natural sweetness and deepens the aroma.
- Add potatoes: Stir in the sliced potatoes and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing their flavors to meld with the leeks and start softening.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and easily mashed with a spoon.
- Blend the soup: Remove the pot from heat and use an immersion blender to carefully blend the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, transfer batches to a blender and puree, then return to the pot.
- Season and finish: Stir in the chopped thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, warm the soup gently over low heat for a few minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Serve hot in bowls, garnished with a sprig of thyme or a swirl of cream if desired, enjoying the velvety texture and comforting aroma.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth for a richer flavor if not strictly vegetarian.
- Make sure to clean leeks thoroughly as dirt can hide between layers.
- The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Add a splash of cream or a dollop of sour cream before serving for extra richness.
- This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or Irish soda bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering and blending
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 245g)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Irish soup, potato leek soup, vegetable soup, comforting soup, vegetarian, cozy dinner
