The Best Leek Soup For A Spring Day

The Best Leek Soup For A Spring Day

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Leek soup recipes become less typical and more savory when you introduce other vegetables into the mix! The combinations vary, but we have a special vegetable in mind that creates a creamy leek soup that makes this standard meal new again. This is totally cleanse-approved and can make a great substitute for an evening shake, if you are looking for something more savory.

Tall, thin stalks of asparagus poking through the ground and appearing at our local markets are some of the signs that spring is on it’s way! This delicious vegetable has a smell that’s unmistakable when cooked, but did you know that it’s also detoxifying, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory?

Paired with leeks — an antiseptic vegetable packed with natural fiber, calcium, potassium and vitamin C — this soup is perfect for the transition from winter into spring. Leeks contain allyl sulfide, which have tons of health benefits. It’s creamy, satisfying and really quick to make, so whether we’re on cleansing or not, we can enjoy the benefits of these veggies anytime!

Ingredients:

  • 1 large leek
  • ½ bunch of asparagus
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • sprig of thyme
  • chopped chives
  • 1 cup coconut milk (boxed and unsweetened, but you can also use canned coconut milk, thinned with water)
  • sea salt or wheat-free tamari (to taste) and black pepper (also to taste)

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Directions:

  1. Remove the green tops from the leeks (you can save them for making your own veg or chicken stock), and slice the lower white section in half lengthwise, then into half-moons.
  2. Trim the lower woody section away from the asparagus (generally the lower 1-2 inches), and cut the remaining asparagus into thirds (saving the tops for garnish on the soup if you like).
  3. Put the coconut oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Once the oil is melted, add the leeks.
  4. Cook leeks for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until the leeks soften.
  5. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
  6. Add the bay leaf, sprig of fresh thyme, and asparagus pieces.
  7. Pour enough water in the pot to cover the vegetables, and cover. Simmer for 12-15 minutes.
  8. Transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender in the pot, blend mixture until smooth and creamy. (You can begin adding the coconut milk here to help the blending process. Either serve immediately or put back in the pot and keep it over low heat to desired temperature. Season to taste with sea salt or the tamari and black pepper if you like.
  9. Garnish with chopped chives (and additional asparagus pieces) and serve.

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Recipe: Frank Giglio

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like Try This Colorful Butternut Squash and Beet Soup


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