A Deliciously Tasty Broccoli Leek Soup Recipe
Comfort soups are good for the body and soul, especially when the weather is undesirable, and you need something to keep you warm. One of the best options for comfort soups is a delicious broccoli leek soup recipe that has become one of the more popular soup options in the northern part of the United States and Europe. This soup has the potential to be customized to fit your personal preferences and fit the palette of your family.
Origins of Broccoli Leek Soup
Broccoli leek soup came when the original leek soup recipe from Europe was customized with other vegetables. Leek soup originated in Europe as a part of Welch cuisine a few hundred years ago. While leeks are similar to onions, they are often paired with potatoes and a thick broth to create the infamous leek soup in Wales.
Once that soup made its way to more prosperous areas of Wales, England, and then later the United States, it was discovered that the earthy taste of these vegetables paired well with broccoli. While broccoli is often famous for being paired with cheddar, the two marry flavors that result in a hearty and comforting soup. Both vegetables are packed full of nutrients that you need to stay healthy, even when dining on a budget.
Great For All Diets
Because of the ingredients used in this delicious broccoli leek soup recipe, it is a great option for all diets, and everyone can enjoy it. No dairy-based means that those with a dairy allergy or lactose-intolerant can enjoy this dish.
Grains and any other ingredients with gluten are also absent from this soup, which allows it to remain gluten-free. Finally, if you choose to use only vegetable broth in the base, this soup can also be vegan, making it ideal for everyone at the dinner table.
Gather Your Ingredients
If you are ready to make your first broccoli leek soup, gathering your ingredients is essential. If you are looking to meet certain dietary restrictions for your family or loved ones, then keep that in mind when building your list and shopping.
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- Four fresh garlic gloves or two tablespoons of minced garlic
- Two medium leeks or one large leek
- One whole broccoli head
- Three cups of vegetable broth
- Three cups of water
- One-third cup of parsley
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- One teaspoon of cayenne
To meet all dietary restrictions, these ingredients are essential. You can always sub out frozen broccoli for fresh broccoli if that is all you have. You would use one small bag in the place of a fresh head of broccoli.
If you are not concerned about being vegan, you can substitute chicken broth, especially if that is what you have on hand. You can also bring freshly grated parmesan cheese to the table for those who do not have a dairy allergy and want to add to their own soup bowls.
These ingredients allow this to be a low carb soup, so if you want to make heartier, you can cut up three large potatoes, as well, and add to the soup. The texture, however, will not be the same.
Build Your Broccoli Leek Soup
If you are ready to start making your soup, these next steps should take you only a few minutes, and you can have your soup ready in half hour.
1. Clean and Chop Your Veggies
Before you start cutting your veggies, make sure you run them under water and clean them thoroughly. Broccoli and leeks have the ability to hold dirt in the stems, and you do not want that to cook in your soup.
Once the veggies are clean, you can cut your broccoli head up into large chunks. You want first to chop the stem off and remove it from the rest of your veggies. Toss it in the trash or add to your compost. If you are using fresh garlic, you also want to begin crushing the cloves and mincing them with your fork. Sit the garlic to the side when you have finished.
Like broccoli, you do not need the whole leek. You are only cutting the leaves and the upper parts of the stem. Cut them into chunks, and then toss the remaining part of the leek with your broccoli stem. You should also take your fresh parsley and do a rough chop before sitting to the side. This allows the flavor to extract and spread through the soup.
2. Time to Saute
Grab your soup pot on medium-high heat and add olive oil and garlic. You want this to saute until the garlic becomes fragrant and gets a little color on the mixed cloves. Add your leeks into the oil, also and let them soften up. This should take no more than three or four minutes.
3. Bring it Together
Once the leeks have softened to your preferred consistency, it is time to add in the chopped broccoli to the oil, garlic and leek mixture. Take your mixing spoon and toss it one time before adding the rest of the ingredients. Add in your chopped parsley, broth of your choice, and water to fill the soup pot. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to build the flavors here.
4. Bring to a Boil
Once the ingredients have been added, keep the temperature high and bring to a boil. One more taste test for seasoning is important before the soup reaches a high boil. Once it begins boiling, turn it down to your low setting and cover the soup for the next ten minutes.
5. Immerse Your Soup
Once the soup has cooked down and started to cool, use your handheld immersion to blend the soup together. This will give it that smooth texture and ensure that all the flavors are blended together properly.
6. Serve and Store
Once you have immersed your soup, you can serve it in individual bowls, with freshly grated parmesan cheese available for your guests to add. Once the soup has cooled completely, any leftovers should be refrigerated up to three days.
