Leek and potato sop
Traditionally eaten to celebrate St David's Day

You can freeze this soup before adding the milk/cream.

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter
1lb leeks
1lb potatoes
2 pints chicken or vegetable broth
Large pinch of salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
125 g (4 oz) glace cherries
1/2 pint milk or single cream
Parsley to decorate

Method

  1. Clean and roughly chop the leeks.
  2. Melt the butter in a large pan and add the leeks.
  3. Fry the leeks, stirring frequently, until they are soft (not brown).
  4. Peel the potatoes and chop them into small cubes.
  5. Add all the remaining ingredients, except the milk/cream.
  6. Cook gently for about 20 minutes.
  7. Mash the potatoes in the pan.  (You can use a blender if you want the soup to be extra smooth).
  8. Just before serving, pour the milk / cream into the soup and stir well over a gentle heat.

Definitions

To chop - to cut food into small even-sized pieces using a knife or food processor.

To fry - to cook in hot fat.

To mash - to break down a solid ingredient into a smooth paste.

To melt - to apply heat to a solid ingredient to turn it into a liquid.

To peel - to remove the outer layer of a food.

To stir - to agitate an ingredient or a number of ingredients using a hand held tool such as a spoon.