Creamy Leek Soup

Ingredients

• 0.5 teaspoon pepper black
• 1 large carrots chopped
• 2 rib celery stalks chopped
• 0.5 cup wine dry white
• 1.5 cups parsley fresh
• 0.3 cup flour all-purpose
• 0.5 cup cup heavy whipping cream chilled
• 3 pound leek white green trimmed chopped
• 24 fluid ounces chicken broth reduced-sodium
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 6 ounces potato boiling
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1  turkish bay leaf 
• 0.5 cup butter unsalted
• 3 cups water 

Equipment

• bowl
• sauce pan
• whisk
• pot
• blender
• hand mixer
• colander

Directions

1. Wash sliced leeks in a large bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and drain well in a colander.
2. Cook leeks, onion, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper in 4 tablespoons butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then add to onion mixture along with wine, stock, water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Stir in parsley and simmer soup, uncovered, 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf and keep soup at a bare simmer.
4. Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, then add flour and cook roux, whisking, until golden, about 3 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and add 2 cups simmering stock (from soup), whisking vigorously (mixture will be thick), then whisk mixture into remaining soup and return to a simmer, whisking.
6. Blend soup in 4 batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), about 1 minute per batch, transferring to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Reheat if necessary, then season with salt and pepper.
7. Beat cream in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until it almost forms soft peaks.
8. Serve soup topped with cream.
9. Soup is best when made 1 to 3 days ahead (to allow flavors to develop); do not whip cream ahead. Chill soup, uncovered, until completely cooled, then cover. Reheat, thinning with water if necessary.