Published with permission from LuxuryWeb Magazine
Discover the rich flavors of traditional French cuisine with this Vichyssoise recipe — a luscious soup that combines creamy potatoes, tender leeks, chicken stock, and a choice of thick dairy. Versatile in its presentation, it can be enjoyed either as a chilled dish, or as a comforting soup.
Ingredients (serves 6):
- 2 ½ cups of peeled and diced potatoes
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 6 medium leeks, cleaned, thinly sliced (white part only)
- 1 medium white onion, sliced
- 3 cups of chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon of freshly ground white pepper
- 2 pinches of grated nutmeg, divided
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ½ to 2 cups of sour cream or heavy cream
- Optional garnishes: chives, sliced spring onion tops, fresh dill weed, or fennel
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Unique Variations:
- Enhance the soup with cooked, mashed asparagus before blending.
- For a Thai twist, add 2 tablespoons of mashed frozen lemongrass to the onions and leeks during cooking.
Preparation Method:
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender.
- In a cast iron pot, melt butter. Gently sweat the leeks and onion for about 5 minutes, ensuring they do not color.
- Combine the boiled potatoes with the leek-onion mixture and remove from heat.
- Boil the chicken stock with bay leaves, then remove the leaves. Lower the heat, add the potato-leek mix, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until tender.
- Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- In batches, blend the mixture until smooth.
- Return the soup to the pot. Whisk in cream (or alternative dairy) and the second pinch of nutmeg. Adjust seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes. Add more broth to thin the soup if desired.
- Cool the soup over an ice bath, stirring occasionally. Once at room temperature, cover and refrigerate until fully chilled.
- Serve with a garnish of your choice: chives, spring onion tops, dill weed, or fennel.
This Vichyssoise, a testament to the elegance of French culinary tradition, offers a versatile and satisfying experience — whether served as a refreshing cold soup or a warm, hearty dish to help nourish the body and soul.
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