Chunky Leek and Potato Soup (No Cream) - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why does my leek and potato soup taste bitter? ›

Leeks, like onions, can become bitter if they're cooked for too long or at too high a heat. Make sure to sauté leeks over medium heat until they are soft and translucent, not browned. Another reason could be using the green parts of the leek, which are more fibrous and have a stronger flavor.

There are a few ways to thicken leek and potato soup, you can use a mixture of cornstarch and cold water or use a slice of bread. Cornstarch should be dissolved in cold water before adding it to the soup, while the bread should be torn up into small pieces and added directly to the pot.

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Why is my potato and leek soup slimy? If you blend or puree the potatoes for too long, the starch inside the potatoes will leak into the broth and create a gelatin-like consistency.

Sweetness can help balance bitterness, so consider adding ingredients like carrots, onions, or a small amount of sugar or honey. Acidic ingredients like tomatoes or a splash of vinegar can also help balance flavors.

You need to cut or scrap any green parts of the potato flesh or skin and discard those pieces. The other parts of the potato are usable. Because of this, it's important to store potatoes properly. A cool, not cold, dark and dry place is best.

Cornstarch is a very effective thickener, and a little bit can go a long way. Add cornstarch to a small amount of cold water or other liquid (wine or stock) and whisk into a thick slurry.

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

It looks as though some of your potatoes might have got a bit scorched. Did you fry them off before adding the liquid? The colour from the browned potatoes could be what is turning it brown.

How to stop leek and potato soup from going gloopy? ›

Potato-Leek Soup v2.

For an extra-smooth soup, press it through a chinois or a fine mesh strainer using the bottom of a ladle. Sure, it's the gluier than its pressed brother, but as I said, sometimes that really doesn't bother me.

I'd just cook some more leeks and blend in, doesn't take long. Must be that time of year, I made some at the weekend. A generous teaspoon of wholegrain mustard and some creme fraiche rescued my last bland batch. And plenty of seasoning.

Soaking the onions in cold water for 10 minutes before cooking can help to reduce the unpleasant taste and smell. Additionally, adding a pinch of sugar to the cooking onions can also help to reduce their pungent flavor.

Leeks have a mildly sweet flavor that is reminiscent of other alliums, such as onions, shallots, garlic, and chives. They are often used the way onions are — as part of a base of flavors for soups, stews, and other long-cooking dishes.