Potato, leek & rocket soup with blue cheese croutons

Season
Autumn/Winter
Skill level
Keen cook
Preparation Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Serves
Serves 4
Categories

This is a deliciously rich and creamy soup, with the peppery bite of rocket. For a lighter, sharper version, try substituting the cream for crème fraiche.

Ingredients

  • 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
  • 2 medium-sized leeks
  • A big handful of rocket leaves roughly chopped
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 sticks of celery, chopped
  • 600ml vegetable stock
  • 300ml single cream
  • Sea salt and black pepper

For the croutons

  • 2 slices of bread, cut into chunky cubes
  • 100g blue cheese (Gorgonzola is good), chopped
  • A little olive oil

Method

  1. 1Melt the butter in heavy-based saucepan and add the spring onions, leeks, celery and potatoes. Fry on a low heat for 10 minutes to soften slightly.
  2. 2Add the stock and cream and cook on medium heat for a further 15-20 minutes.
  3. 3When the soup is cooked add the rocket, season to taste and blend to a smooth, creamy consistency.
  4. 4To make the croutons, heat the oil in a frying pan and pan fry the bread chunks for a few minutes until they are crisp and lightly browned. Add the blue cheese and allow it to just melt so that it coats the crispy croutons.
  5. 5Serve immediately with the soup.