12 Nov Leep Soup with Smoked Salmon Toasts

Leek soup needs no introduction. I pair mine with toast and smoked salmon, which elevates this humble meal to a substantial yet speedy supper.

Leek Soup with Smoked Salmon Toasts

Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of butter

1 tablespoon of oil

1 leek

1 small onion

1 small potato

2 cloves of garlic

2 slices of streaky bacon

750ml vegetable stock

150ml of double cream

1 tablespoon of freshly chopped chives

4 slices of bread

4 tablespoons of ricotta

200g smoked salmon

Method

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large soup pot over a medium heat.

2. Peel and roughly chop the leek, onion, potato, garlic and bacon. Add to the pot and cook for 10 minutes until starting to soften.

3. Top up with vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through and soft.

4. Use a hand-held blender to blitz the soup until smooth. Allow to cool slightly before adding the cream. Mix well.

5. Meanwhile, toast your bread. Spread the ricotta on your toast and top with smoked salmon.

6. Divide the soup between four bowls. Sprinkled with freshly chopped chives and serve each bowl with a slice of smoked salmon on toast.

Storecupboard Essentials

Vegetable Bouillon: Dr Coy’s vegetable bouillon is an Irish made organic seasoning that you can use in your soups without having to worry about additives and excessive salt. Find out more on www.drcoys.ie.

This recipe first appeared in The Irish Independent on November 12th