Belgian Leek Soup Recipes

BELGIAN FARMHOUSE POTATO LEEK SOUP WITH ABBEY ALE

Steps:

• Peel and cut potatoes in eighths (cut in half, then each half in half and then again). Place in a large pot, cover with cold water and add 1 tbsp salt. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium low and let boil until fork tender and then remove from heat and drain the water.
• Meanwhile clean and slice leeks (remove about 1 inch from the bottom and the dark green parts, cut in half lengthwise and wash away any trapped soil particles, then slice in half moons).
• In a large pan over medium heat melt the butter. Add the cut leeks, season with the 2 tsp salt and the pepper and add three whole sprigs of fresh thyme. Cook until the leeks are translucent and just begin to caramelize, stirring often.
• Slowly add the abbey ale and stir, let simmer and reduce for 8-10 min. Remove from heat.
• Add the cooked leeks with abbey ale sauce to the potatoes. Discard the thyme at this point. Add the chicken (or vegetable) stock and using a handheld (immersion) blender puree until you reach a smooth consistency. If using a traditional blender, work in batches.
• Place the pot with the pureed potatoes and leeks on the stove over medium high heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cream, stir well, cover with lid and turn off the heat.
• To make the croutons slice bread in cubes and heat olive oil in a pan over medium high. Add the bread cubes, season with salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir well to coat. Once they begin to brown they are done. Transfer to a serving dish to be used as garnish.
• Serve soup with a few croutons and a little bit of fresh thyme on top.

BELGIAN LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• In a pan cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, for 7 minutes, or until crisp. Add leeks, garlic, nutmeg, add thyme, oregano and bay leaf, then cook mixture covered over medium heat stirring occasionally for 15 minutes or until leeks are tender. Add wine and cream, bring liquid to a boil, and simmer soup 10 minutes. In a saucepan, melt butter; add flour and cook roux, stirring, 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir in the heated stock and cook mixture until thickened. Add mixture to leek mixture; simmer the soup, stirring, for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into 10 flameproof bowls. Top with bread, then top bread with Gruyere. Put bowls under preheated broiler about 3 inches from heat for 30 seconds or until cheese is melted.

LEEK, BUTTER BEAN & CRISPY CHORIZO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter and a glug of olive oil in a casserole over a medium heat. Add the leeks and fry for 15 mins until softened and beginning to turn golden brown. Stir through the garlic and cook for a further 1 min.
• Tip the butter beans into the pan, pour over the hot stock and simmer, uncovered, for 10 mins. Blitz to a smooth consistency with a hand-held blender, then stir in the crème fraîche and season to taste. Keep warm over a low heat.
• Meanwhile, fry the chorizo in a small glug of olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat for 5 mins or until oily and crispy. Stir in the rosemary, cooking for a further minute. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the rosemary and chorizo mixture, as well as any oil left in the pan. Serve with some crusty bread.

LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Cut leeks into thin slices. In a skillet, saute leeks and onion in butter until tender but not browned. Transfer to a soup kettle or Dutch oven. Add potatoes, broth and parsley; cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Strain; set broth aside. Puree vegetables in a blender or food processor. Return puree and broth to pan. Stir a small amount of pureed mixture into egg yolk; return to pan. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°, stirring occasionally. Add the cream; heat through but do not boil. Garnish with bacon.

CHERVIL LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• In your soup pot, saute onions and leeks over medium heat until soft. (Tip: salt the onions and leeks at this stage so they release their moisture faster.).
• Add water.
• Add chervil, bullion cubes, and bouquet garni and let simmer for 15 minutes over medium heat.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove bouquet garni and blend soup.
• Add meatballs if desired.

LEEK CREAM SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the leek in small pieces.
• Cut the center out of the cauliflower and separate the flowerets.
• Cook the leek, onion and cauliflower in the vegetable bouillon until soft.
• With the mixer, mix the soup until smooth.
• Heat again, stirring the cream in.
• Serve with the parsley sprinkled on top.

LEEK AND CANNELLINI BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot, put 1/4 cup of the oil over high heat and heat until it shimmers. Add the leeks and sauté for 2 minutes.
• 2. Add the carrots, celery, turnip, and salt and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring the soup to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• 3. Add the cannellini beans and simmer for another 2 minutes.
• 4. Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle each portion with cheese and drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil.

CREAMY LEEK & BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan, add the leeks and cook on a low-medium heat for 5 mins. Pour in the bouillon, tip in the beans, cover and simmer for 10 mins.
• Stir in the garlic and spinach, cover the pan and cook for 5 mins more until the spinach has wilted but still retains its fresh green colour.
• Add the milk and plenty of pepper, and blitz with a stick blender until smooth. Ladle into bowls and chill the remainder.

CREAMY LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot and add the leeks and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until leeks are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for about a minute, until the garlic smells fragrant. Add the stock or water, the rice, bay leaf and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bay leaf and discard.
• Puree the soup with an immersion blender or a food mill, or in batches in a blender, taking care to remove the lid or take out the center insert and to cover with a towel to avoid hot splashes. Return to the pot, heat through, and add pepper to taste and a pinch of cayenne if desired. Serve hot or cold. If you wish you can thin out with milk, plain yogurt or a combination of milk and creme fraiche. Garnish with chopped chives or croutons.

CREAM OF BELGIAN ENDIVE SOUP

Steps:

• Cut leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse well under cold running water to remove any grit. Thinly slice crosswise; set aside.
• Cut endives in half lengthwise, and cut out and discard the cores. Thinly slice crosswise; set aside.
• Peel potatoes, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside in a bowl of cold water.
• Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; cook until they start to soften, about 3 minutes. Drain potatoes well; add to pot along with sliced endive. Cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes; do not let brown.
• Add wine and stock, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until vegetables are very tender, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Transfer soup in batches to a blender (fill no more than halfway), or pass it through a food mill. Return to a clean saucepan; stir in cream. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Garnish with endive.

SPINACH AND LEEK WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, cannellini beans, bay leaves and cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, and stir in the couscous. Cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in spinach and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.