Saturday, April 16, 2016

Potato, Leek, and Watercress Soup

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This week I made a soup that is a bit similar to a recipe I shared seven years ago for Watercress and Potato Soup. That one used wild leeks, and this one has the regular leeks which are sautéed a bit. I mentioned in the older post that I could eat it all myself, and this time I did because watercress is not Tom's favorite food.

When I was shopping, I saw this


and had to buy it. Look at that green!

Potato, Leek, and Watercress Soup

In a large pot, lightly sauté some chopped leeks in 1-2 Tablespoons butter. You could use olive oil or a mixture of both. I thought the butter gave an excellent flavor to the soup.


Peel (or not) and chop a few potatoes.


Put 4 cups of water in the leeks saucepan. Add the potatoes and cook until they are soft. Add roughly chopped watercress.


Cook a while on medium heat.


Then put through a food mill. (You could also use a blender).


I absolutely love this soup, and intend to make it at least every other week. And, as I said, I ate it all. At one sitting.

30 comments:

  1. That looks delicious and a wonderful spring soup! I suspect I'd be the only one of us [me and husband] to eat it which sounds okay to me!
    Mary

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    1. I think it is a little hard for us to make food just for ourselves but Tom assures me that he can always find something - like eggs - so I am getting a little better at doing it. Quinoa is another thing that he will.not.touch!

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  2. That looks like the classic leek and potato soup that can be served hot or cold. Cress sounds like a good addition.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  3. I've never had leeks or watercress. Maybe I should try this, it looks really good.

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    1. My favorite recipe is here: http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2008/04/vegetables.html It is Gladys Taber's leek and potato soup. Yum!

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  4. I adore potato leek soup and watercress is a perfect addition. That cress looks so green and gorgeous--it would be hard to resist. ;-)
    Aloha, Deb--Kahakai Kitchen

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    1. That green is most welcome after a long winter!

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  5. Replies
    1. I was interested that it is still living. It did seem very fresh, though it had traveled a long way to get to me!

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  6. Lovely. I make leek and potato soup with the leeks my husband grows. I've never put watercress in, I must try that. I usually add a few onions and some celery for extra goodness.

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    1. We used to grow leeks. One of my favorite vegetables. I think you might like the cress.

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  7. I love potato and leek soup - it's a comfort food to me. But I've never tasted watercress, so I'm not sure if I would feel the same Tom does! ;-)

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    1. It changed a gentle leek and potato soup to something more zingy! I love them both.

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  8. That looks delicious! I've only cooked with leeks once and I've never tasted watercress. I wonder how my hubby would feel about this recipe. He does like soups with potatoes, but would probably ask me to add some ham or sausage. ;)

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    1. And mine hasn't had ham or sausage for 45 years! ;<) Watercress is a powerhouse food. If you are interested, there is a site that tells all about it. http://foodfacts.mercola.com/watercress.html

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    2. Thanks for the link, Nan. I'm going to look for some at our market today. I can add it to our salads and my morning smoothies!

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  9. Love the watercress - haven't seen any for a while - been using spinach instead. Cheers from Carole's Chatter!

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    1. Very different kind of taste, I think. Spinach seems kind of mellow to me, and watercress is very tangy. But I know they are substituted for one another frequently.

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  10. That watercress looks beautiful. Hard to resist. I bet an immersion blender would work for that soup.

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    1. I tried it, but it wasn't as smooth as I wanted it, and it splashed a bit! The mill takes longer but I like the result better.

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  11. I am a big potato and leek fan to begin with, so this looks delicious to me and like something I would make and eat in one sitting as well. Thanks, Nan.

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    1. You are so welcome! If you like leek and potato soup, I think you might like this. Watercress isn't for everyone, but I love it in this soup.

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  12. I've had potato and leek but not with watercress. That sounds lovely!
    Usually we cook watercress soup Chinese-style, with pork ribs in a clear soup.
    Here's an example http://fatboo.com/2012/07/watercress-soup.html

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  13. I've had leeks but never tried watercress. Amazing soup, I would love to share some with you.

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    1. It is a bit spicy - I think that would be the right word. I don't think I would eat it in a salad, but with the leeks and potatoes, it is perfect.

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  14. I love potatoes, I love leek, I love watercress - in consequence, I would LOVE this soup! I don't think I will make it any time soon, though, as I have neither a blender nor a food mill. Therefore, I have to make do with drooling over your pictures here :-)

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  15. That looks delicious; I would gladly eat Tom's portion if you have too much for yourself ;>)!!!

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  16. Will definitely be trying this soup, Nan. I love potato anything. And what's not to love about watercress? When we were kids growing up, my mom always added watercress to our salads so I've always loved it.

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