Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup – creamy rich and sweet

Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup with Crusty Bread

A dead simple soup – leeks, potatoes, bit of stock. That’s it really. The leeks go sweet when you cook them, potatoes make it thick, and if you’ve got cream hanging about you can splash some in at the end. Makes the kitchen smell lovely. It only needs crusty bread.

By The Hairy Bikers
From Saturday Kitchen
Original recipe from BBC Saturday Kitchen Live.

Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup gets a really good B rating. There’s quite a bit of veg in it and it’s not swimming in cream unless you go mad. You can make it even lighter by leaving the cream out completely – still tastes good.

Ingredients

• 450g leeks, washed and sliced
• 350g potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1 litre vegetable or chicken stock
• 150ml double cream or milk (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Chopped parsley or chives (optional, for garnish)

Method

1. Prepare the vegetables
   Cut leeks down the middle and wash them under the tap – they trap dirt like you wouldn’t believe. Once clean, slice them. Peel potatoes, chop into bits. Dice the onion small as you can.
2. Sauté the base
   Big pot, medium heat. Melt your butter in there (or oil). In with the onion and leeks. Stir occasionally for 5-7 minutes till they’re soft. Don’t let them brown.
3. Add potatoes and stock
   In go the potatoes. Stir for a couple minutes. Pour stock over everything, bring it to a boil, then turn down the heat. Leave it 20 minutes till the potatoes are mashable.
4. Blend for desired texture
   Stick blender straight in the pot – blitz till smooth. Sometimes I only blend half, depends what texture I feel like.
5. Finish and serve
   Tip in cream or milk if using. Taste it – probably needs salt and pepper. Ladle out into bowls, scatter parsley or chives on if you’ve got them.

Tips

• Want it lighter? Just use milk. Or nothing – it’s fine without.
• I like leaving some lumps in so only blend part of it.
• Got fresh thyme? Chuck a sprig in while it cooks.

What can you serve Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup

1. Crusty bread – Rip chunks off and dunk them. That’s the best bit.
2. Garlic bread – If you’re feeling it. Goes well.
3. Grilled cheese sandwich – Cheese toastie on the side. Sometimes I dip that in too.

FAQs for Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup

How do I clean leeks thoroughly for soup?

Split them down the length, hold under running water and pull the layers apart. Gets everything out.

Can I make this leek and potato soup ahead of time?

Yeah. Fridge for 3 days or freezer for 3 months. Reheat when you want some.

Is it possible to freeze leek and potato soup with cream?

Can do but the cream sometimes separates when you reheat. Better adding it fresh after defrosting.

Why does my leek and potato soup taste bland?

Needs more salt. Add it gradually till it tastes right. Bit of lemon juice perks it up too.

How can I thicken my soup?

Blend more of it. Or use an extra potato next time.

Which part of the leek is best for soup?

White bit and light green. The dark green’s too tough – I save those ends for stock.

Is this soup healthy?

Yeah it’s alright. Lots of veg, decent fibre. Miss out the cream and use less salt if you’re watching that.

Can I make this soup vegan?

Use oil not butter, leave out cream. Job done.

What herbs work well in this soup?

Parsley, chives work. Thyme’s good. Bay leaf while it simmers adds depth.

How to Store Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup

Nothing tricky about storing it:

• Refrigeration: Container with a lid, fridge. Lasts 3 days.
• Freezing: Let it go cold first. Freezer container. Keeps 3 months.

How to Reheat Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup

Reheating’s easy:

• Stovetop: Pan on medium, stir occasionally till hot.
• Microwave: Bowl in microwave, 2-3 minutes on medium. Stir halfway.

How to Make Hairy Bikers Leek and Potato Soup Healthier?

Few ways to lighten it:

• Use Low-Sodium Stock: Regular stock’s often too salty anyway.
• Skip the Cream: Doesn’t really need it. Milk works if you want some creaminess.
• Add More Vegetables: Spinach or kale stirred through at the end – adds vitamins, can barely taste it.

Nutrition Value (per serving)

• Calories: 200
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 4g

Try More Hairy Biker’s Soup Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers​ Red Pepper And Lentil Soup Recipe
• Hairy Bikers​ Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Mushroom Soup​ Recipe