Potato Leek Soup

This is one of my favorite comfort foods, because it's so simple to make and tastes so damn good. And now that I have a great bread book (see previous post) I can have homemade foccacia to go with it.

Recipe from How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, by Mark Bittman

2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
3 leeks (white part only), sliced into thin rings
salt and pepper
1 quart stock

-Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Add vegetables, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
-Add stock, bring to boil then reduce to simmer and cook till vegetables are very tender (about 20 min).
-Use an immersion blender or pour into food processor and puree till smooth.

Curried Carrot Soup

I have a whole new appreciation for carrots now.

Recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food. You will need a LARGE pot for this

2 Tbsp butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp curry powder
2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper
3.5 cups low sodium broth
3 cups water
2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks (if you use baby carrots, it'll save you a lot of trouble)
2 Tbsp lemon juice

Heat butter in a 4-5 quart pot. Add onion, curry, salt and pepper. Cook till onion is soft. Add broth, carrots and 3 cups of water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer till carrots are tender (20 min). In a blender, puree soup till smooth. Add lemon juice.

Tangy Tomato Soup

It's a nice lazy Sunday. I just want to throw things into a pot and do a whole lot of nothing. No shopping for fancy ingredients. I made this recipe based on items I happened to have on hand:

6 plum tomatoes
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with chilies
1 celery stalk
1/2 onion
1 garlic clove, crushed
1.5 cups broth (I used chicken)
1/4 lemon, juiced
basil, (a handful)
1 tsp salt

Roughly chop the tomatoes, celery and onion. Place in pot, with crushed garlic clove and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature to low and simmer for 15 min. Add broth and basil, simmer for another 5 min. Use an immersion blender, or pour into a blender/food processor and blend till smooth. Stir in salt and lemon juice. This recipe is going to vary depending how sweet your tomatoes are. If you find it too tangy, add a touch of sugar.