Bushra Griffith
Leek soup is a delicious and healthy meal option, and it can be made even more sumptuous with the addition of cheese. There are several types of cheese that can be used to make a creamy and cheesy leek soup, including cheddar, blue cheese, and simple melty white cheese. The type of cheese you choose will depend on your personal preference and the specific flavour profile you want to achieve.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Cheddar, Blue Cheese |
| Cheese quantity | 1 cup, 4 oz |
| Cheese texture | Fine grate, grated |
| Cheese saltiness | High |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese leek soup
To make this soup, you'll need the following ingredients: leeks, blue cheese, butter, olive oil, chicken broth or stock, and seasoning. Some recipes also call for flour, mustard, black pepper, and scallions for garnish. You can also add potatoes to make it a heartier dish.
Start by thinly slicing the leeks width-wise. Melt butter and olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, then add the leeks and sauté for 10-15 minutes until softened. Next, add the blue cheese and stir until melted. If you're using flour, add it now and stir until absorbed. Mix in the mustard and black pepper, if using.
Pour in the chicken broth and turn the heat up to high. Stir the soup until it comes to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve the soup garnished with additional blue cheese and diced scallions, if desired.
For a more filling version of this soup, you can add potatoes. Simply add cubed potatoes after sautéing the leeks and follow the rest of the recipe as instructed. This soup is a delicious and comforting meal, perfect for a cosy night in.
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Cheddar leek soup
There are many types of cheese that pair well with leeks in soup, including Gruyère, white cheddar, and heavy cream. Here is a recipe for a delicious and comforting Cheddar leek soup. This soup is smooth, creamy, and perfect for the colder months.
Ingredients:
- 4 leeks, trimmed, halved, cleaned, and sliced
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed (Yukon gold potatoes are recommended)
- 3-5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cartons broth or stock (chicken or vegetable)
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup finely chopped chives and green onions
- 1/2 tbsp vinegar (optional)
- 1 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional garnishes: chilli flakes, hot sauce, fresh chives, green onions, and parsley
Method:
First, melt the butter in a pot and cook the leeks until soft (around 5 minutes). Add the broth or stock, potatoes, bay leaves, and thyme, and cook until the potatoes are soft. Remove the herbs and blend the soup until smooth. If you want a chunky soup, you can mash the potatoes instead of blending.
Next, add the vinegar (if using), salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Place the soup on low heat and add the herbs and grated cheddar. Stir until everything is incorporated and creamy. Serve in bowls and garnish with fresh chives, green onions, a drizzle of olive oil, and any other desired toppings.
This recipe is a great family meal and can be adapted to your taste. Enjoy!
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Creamy leek soup
There are several types of cheese that can be used to make a creamy leek soup. Here are some options:
Cheddar Cheese
For a creamy and dreamy soup, try using sharp white cheddar cheese. This cheese pairs well with other ingredients such as olive oil, unsalted butter, garlic, and Yukon gold potatoes. To make the soup, simply sauté the leeks and other vegetables in butter and olive oil, add the broth and potatoes, and simmer until tender. Then, blend the mixture until smooth and stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs such as chives, parsley, and green onions.
Blue Cheese
For a unique twist on the classic leek soup, blue cheese is a perfect addition for blue cheese lovers. This soup combines thinly sliced leeks sautéed in butter and olive oil, with melted blue cheese, flour, mustard, black pepper, and chicken broth. Simply bring the soup to a boil, simmer for 15 minutes, and garnish with additional blue cheese and diced scallions.
Cream Cheese
For a vegetarian option, cream cheese can be used to make a rich and creamy leek soup. Start by sautéing leeks in butter, add garlic, and deglaze with wine. Then, add broth, potatoes, salt, and pepper, and simmer until tender. Blend the soup until slightly chunky, add cream cheese and nutmeg, and stir until thickened.
Other Cheeses
Other cheeses that can be used for a creamy leek soup include Gruyère, Emmentaler, or a mix of different cheeses. For a more indulgent option, consider adding heavy whipping cream or half-and-half to the soup base. Additionally, various herbs and spices can be added to enhance the flavour, such as bay leaves, coriander, thyme, nutmeg, and parsley.
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Leek and potato soup
Blue Cheese Leek and Potato Soup
For a blue cheese leek and potato soup, you will need butter, leeks, chicken stock or broth, potatoes, bay leaves, salt, pepper, buttermilk, heavy whipping cream, nutmeg, parsley, and bacon, as well as blue cheese. Start by melting butter in a large saucepan, adding leeks, and cooking until soft. Then, add the chicken stock, potatoes, and bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender. Remove the bay leaf, then blend the soup until smooth. Return the soup to the saucepan and whisk in the buttermilk, cream, and nutmeg, simmering until thickened. Finally, add the blue cheese and stir until melted.
Cheddar Leek and Potato Soup
For a cheddar leek and potato soup, you will need olive oil, butter, onions, garlic, potatoes, leeks, thyme, nutmeg, broth, vinegar, chives, parsley, green onions, and cheddar cheese. Start by heating olive oil and butter in a large pot, then add the onions and garlic and cook until softened. Next, add the potatoes, leeks, thyme, and nutmeg, and cook for a further 5-6 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are tender. Blend the soup until smooth, then add the vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, chives, parsley, green onions, and grated cheddar, stirring until melted and well combined.
Cheesy Leek and Potato Soup
For a simply "cheesy" leek and potato soup, you will need butter, olive oil, leeks, onions, garlic, bay leaves, coriander, potatoes, chicken bouillon, chicken stock, and cheese. Start by melting butter and olive oil in a large pot, then add the leeks, onions, garlic, bay leaves, and coriander, and cook until the onions are softened. Next, add the potatoes and chicken bouillon, and pour over enough chicken stock to cover the vegetables. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Finally, mash the potatoes to the desired consistency.
Variations and Tips
Some people prefer their leek and potato soup without cheese, allowing the flavour of the leeks to shine through. You can also experiment with different types of wine to add depth to the soup, such as Marsala wine, Manzanilla sherry, or semi-dry Riesling. If you want to add a touch of sweetness, you can try adding a bit of maple syrup or dry Chardonnay. For a spicy kick, add some cracked pepper or chili flakes. Finally, don't forget to thoroughly clean your leeks by slicing and soaking them in cold water.
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Leek soup garnishes
Leek soup is a versatile dish that can be garnished in a variety of ways to enhance its flavour and presentation. Here are some ideas for leek soup garnishes, with a focus on incorporating cheese:
Cheese Garnishes
Cheese is a popular ingredient in leek soup, adding a creamy texture and savoury flavour. When garnishing, consider using the same type of cheese that was used in the soup to enhance those flavours. For example, if you used blue cheese in the soup, crumble some extra blue cheese over the top as a garnish. Other cheeses that pair well with leeks include cheddar, parmesan, and gouda. Grate or shred the cheese to sprinkle over the soup, or use small cubes or chunks for a more textured garnish.
Herb and Spice Garnishes
Fresh herbs and spices can add a burst of colour and flavour to your leek soup. Chives, parsley, and green onions are commonly used in leek soup recipes and make excellent garnishes. Sprinkle finely chopped herbs over the soup, or use whole sprigs for a more rustic look. If you want to add some heat to your soup, consider garnishing with chilli flakes, black pepper, or paprika.
Crunchy Toppings
For a textural contrast, add a crunchy topping to your leek soup. Croutons are a classic choice and can be made with plain or seasoned bread. You could also top the soup with crispy fried shallots or onions, or even crumbled bacon bits for a savoury crunch.
Drizzle Options
A drizzle of oil or vinegar can add extra flavour and visual appeal to your leek soup garnish. Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, adds a fruity and pungent flavour. Alternatively, use a flavoured oil like chili oil or truffle oil for a more complex garnish. A drizzle of vinegar, such as sherry vinegar, can also add a tangy twist to your soup.
When garnishing leek soup, feel free to get creative and combine multiple elements. For example, you could sprinkle chopped chives and crumble some blue cheese over the soup, then finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of chilli flakes. Remember to keep the portions of your garnishes small, as you want to enhance the soup without overwhelming its delicate flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular options for leek soup are blue cheese, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan.
Leek and potato soup often uses cheddar cheese, but blue cheese can also be used.
A sharp white cheddar is often used in leek soup.
Yes, you can add wine, vinegar, chilli flakes, hot sauce, croutons, bacon, mustard, black pepper, and herbs like chives, parsley, and green onions.
