Rustic Leek and Potato Soup

This delicious springtime Rustic Leek and Potato Soup recipe and photos were shared with my by Karen Calanchini, Food Stylist and Photographer, of Redding, CA. Karen likes to serve this soup with her Chèvre Cheese and Smoked Salmon Bruschetta.

Karen says, "I believe that spring is my favorite time to cook. I love picking from my garden or scouting the Farmer's Market for baby vegetables, just pulled from the garden a few hours earlier. There is nothing better than that earthy, fresh taste. This is a great spring recipe for just picked produce. Having all your ingredients ready to go, make this a quick and very tasty meal."

Rustic Leek and Potato Soup Recipe

Recipe Type: Soup & Stews, Sausage, Potatoes, Leeks, Spinach
Yields: 3 to 4 servings
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min

Ingredients:

1 cooking chorizo, or other spicy sausage of your choice, cut into chunks
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
3 baby leeks, cleaned and tough green outer leaves removed, then thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
Red pepper flakes, to taste
3 cloves garlic, diced
2 pounds scrubbed yellow potatoes, chunked into bite-size pieces
1 bay leaf
Coarse salt or sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
>3 cups (or more) chicken stock (enough to cover potatoes)
1/2 cup heavy cream (I used half and half)
2 cups baby spinach, stems removed
Garnishes: chopped chives, shredded Parmesan Reggiano, and/or crispy fried bacon, broken into bits

Preparation:

In a medium size Dutch oven or saucepan, brown chorizo or sausage until just cooked, remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels and let drain. Wipe pan clean.

Add butter and olive oil, and sauté leeks and onion until just beginning to soften. Add garlic, bay leaf, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add potatoes, salt, pepper and chicken stock. Simmer gently until potatoes are tender. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add cream or half and half, and baby spinach, and heat through.

Transfer to serving plates, and add garnish as desired.

Note: If you want a thicker soup, use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes prior to adding the cream and spinach, mix well.

Makes 3 to 4 servings.