Vichyssoise – chilled leek and potato soup

5.00

Vichyssoise is a chilled leek and potato soup, enriched with cream or in this case crème fraîche – which gives it more body and a pleasing sour tang. A classic French recipe perfect for a summer lunch or dinner party starter.

First published in 2021

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 350g leeks, washed and finely sliced
  • 250g of floury potatoes, peeled, quartered and finely sliced
  • 600ml vegetable stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 100g creme fraiche
  • 100g whole milk, (you may not need it all)
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ½ bunch of chives, finely chopped
  • salt
  • pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Method

1

Slowly cook the leeks in the butter with a pinch of salt over a medium heat until soft, then add the potatoes and cook for a few more minutes, stirring to avoid any colour on the vegetables

  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 350g leeks, washed and finely sliced
  • 250g of floury potatoes, peeled, quartered and finely sliced
  • salt
2

Add the stock and bay leaf and cook at a very gentle simmer for 25 minutes

  • 600ml vegetable stock
  • 1 bay leaf
3

Fish out and discard the bay leaf, then blend the soup until very smooth. Stir in the crème fraiche and milk – you may not need all the milk but you don’t want the soup to be too thick as it will thicken further once cooled. You're looking for a double cream consistency

  • 100g creme fraiche
  • 100g whole milk, (you may not need it all)
4

Taste and season the soup with lemon juice, salt and pepper then transfer to a jug and refrigerate. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of chives

  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ½ bunch of chives, finely chopped
  • salt
  • pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
First published in 2021

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