Leek & Potato Soup

From EatingWell: January/February 1994 — Subscribe Now!

Our lightened version of classic potato-leek soup uses just a touch of reduced-fat sour cream to make it rich and creamy.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Delicious, but the texture is off. The sour cream breaks up, giving it an unappetizing "curdled" look and feel. "

6 servings, about 1 cup each

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil
3 leeks, trimmed, cleaned and thinly sliced (3 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 pounds all-purpose potatoes, (about 3 medium), peeled and cut into small chunks
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan or stockpot over low heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; cook for 2 minutes more. Pour in broth, increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Pour the soup through a strainer set over a large bowl. Puree the leeks in a food processor or blender until smooth, adding some the broth if necessary. Return the puree and broth to the saucepan. Add potatoes and simmer, covered, until the potatoes are soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and mash the potatoes thoroughly with a potato masher.
Stir in sour cream, salt and pepper. Return to low heat and heat until hot, but not boiling. Serve hot or chilled.

Nutrition

Per serving: 162 calories; 4 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 13 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrates; 7 g protein; 2 g fiber; 206 mg sodium; 507 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (15% daily value), Vitamin C (40% dv).

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat