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Leek Velouté

17/11/2023

I will be happy to help you with the recipe for leek velouté. It is a creamy and comforting dish, perfect for cool evenings or as the start of an elegant meal. Here is what you need and how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 3 medium-sized leeks (just the white part and a bit of the light green)
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 1 white onion
  • 1 liter of vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh liquid cream or milk to add creaminess (optional)
  • Chopped chives or another fresh herb for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Clean the leeks by removing the roots and the greener and harder part of the leaves. Cut them in half lengthwise and then again in half, and wash them thoroughly under running water to remove any soil residue. Then cut them into thin slices.
  2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into medium-sized cubes.
  3. Peel and finely slice the onion.
  4. Put the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot and fry the onion until it becomes transparent. Add the leeks and let them soften for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add the potatoes to the pot and fry for another 2 minutes, then pour in the hot broth.
  6. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook covered for about 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender.
  7. Turn off the heat and use an immersion blender to blend the vegetables into a smooth and homogeneous cream.
  8. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
  9. If you desire a creamier velouté, you can add a little bit of liquid cream or milk until you reach the desired consistency.
  10. Serve the velouté hot, garnished with chopped chives or a fresh herb of your choice.

Fun Fact

This velouté closely recalls the traditions of French cuisine, which loves to serve sophisticated and delicate dishes like this one. In Italy, the velouté is often enriched with a bit of grated Parmesan cheese or a knob of butter to give more flavor and richness to the dish. You can accompany this velouté with croutons golden in a pan or in the oven to add a pleasant contrast in texture.