There were two types of vegetables I didn't eat when I was young - Potato and Leek. I didn't know why, but I just did not eat them like Julie Powell did not eat eggs.
I had to face my fear when I was dating Mr J. We were invited to a dinner party hosted by his best mate in Malaysia. His mate is also a Dutch, married to a Spanish, and both of them were working in Malaysia. We were served Leek and Potato Soup as a starter. To be polite, I had to finish my soup. I took a deep breath, took a big spoonful of the soup and swallowed it. It really wasn't that bad after all. I actually liked it. On that very day, I was glad I gave this Leek and Potato soup a chance.
We often fear of something for no obvious reason. It's the fear of taking the first step. Not knowing how it is going to be and not knowing how it is going to end. I often choke up when taking first steps towards these really big goals. I registered this blog in December 2008 but didn't actually do much with the blog until May 2009. I guess I feared failure and criticism for the same unknown reason as I feared the potato and leek. Today, I am glad I did give my blog a chance.
(Adapted from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking)
Serves 6-8
3 - 4 cups or 1 lb peeled potatoes, sliced or diced
3 cups or 1 lb thinly sliced leeks including the tender green
2 quarts of water
1 tbsp salt
4 - 6 tbsp whipping cream
2-3 tbsp minced parsley or chives
- Simmer the vegetables, water, and salt together, partially covered, for 40 to 50 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Mash the vegetable in the soup with a fork, or pass the soup through a food mill. (Note from Julia Child: Although we are enthusiastic supporters of blenders and food processors, we almost invariably prefer a vegetable mill when soups are to be pureed. Blenders and processors chop up and serve forth tough woody vegetable bits, while a vegetable mill holds them back to give you a fiber-free brew.)
- Correct seasoning. Set aside uncovered until just before serving, then reheat to the simmer.
- Off heat and just before serving, stir in the cream. Pour into a tureen or soup cups and decorate with the herbs.
Posts
28 comments:
Looks like congee but a Western version, I'm sure it's as tasty too =)
Glad you took a chance. The same feeling affects ninjas too, if that's any consolation.
Glad you faced your fears about this soup which looks fantastic and most especially about your blog. I think everyone feels the same way. But like I've said before, your blog is an inspiration, and whatever other people say, it is your blog. Glad you took that chance and risk.
It's quite true that we often fear of something w/o any obvious reason. You have made the breakthrough anyway. Congrats on giving your blog a chance too. It continues to thrive and shine. Great!
Ellie, I know what you mean. Up till now, I still refuse to swallow petai. And I think I know why: I hate what it does to my body. Whenever my family has consumed petai, the washrooms stink!! Eeeewww ...
But hey, potato & leek soup is something I'd love to have ... especially in cold weather. It's such a comfort on its own, and yours looks fabulous!
Ellie, there are so many people that are glad that you took the chance and started your blog. You have contributed to many satisfied eyes and bellies :)
I love potato and leek soup. It is just so tasty. Your version looks great and I might need to try it this winter.
We're glad you gave your blog a chance too! Lovely soup Ellie. Nothing more humble and satisfying than a leek and potato soup
I guess all of us ought to be really thankful you decided to give the blog a chance! :D I have to admit I'm very much similar. Somewhere in my childhood I decided I hated leek, but my mother made a stew once, and after more than 25 years, I finally realised it tasted good! :P
well i'm glad you persevered with the blog. everything always looks so amazing!
Well said Ellie. We often fear something for no obvious reason. Although I don't fear a specific type of food, I wish I were more courageous in other aspects of my life. The soup looks comforting, and I am glad that you gave your blog a chance!
I was just thinking that today would be perfect for potato and leek soup - your potager looks delicious!
Nice post it look like very tasty and yummy hmmmmm
An early congratulations on nearly one year (of seriousness at least) blogging! Yours is a lovely blog.
It's cold and rainy where I am in Tuscany and your soup looks delicious!
We are all glad you gave your blog a chance!! I felt that way about cold tomato soup:) One of my faves now..The classic Gazpacho..Like your Parmentier~ Pretty bowl and saucer!
The soup looks creamy and rich!
Ellie, indeed, we are often fearful of taking that first step. The 2 biggest challenges we have to face in life : knowing when to start and when to stop. Your fears about your blog is unfounded. A talented cook and photographer like yourself have nothing to worry. You are in the upper crust league of the food blogosphere and deservedly so.
Hello Ellie, first I wanted to Thank you for the nice comment you left on my blog. I fully understand what you are talking about. For me, it was the fear to fail starting my blog. But now, it is out and I know, that it will improve over time. You just have to give it a shot and start, like trying new food. I come from the french influenced part of Germany, so this soup is very familiar to me. I haven't made it in forever. My aunt still makes it. She serves it with fresh baked plum cake for lunch. I wish I could have a taste of it.
Aren't we all glad that you gave your blog a chance, and the wonderful potato & leek soup if it lead to that :)
Don't ever stop your blog! It is too inspiration for many people
Oohh niiceee I like leek and potato soup so might give this a go! but alas I have no vegetable mill either haha
We're pretty glad you gave it a chance too ;)
I love the texture of this soup, it really couldn't look any more appetising.
this is a comforting great soup to try soon!
And you gave potatoes and leeks a chance too! I always avoided leeks, thinking they were spring onions on steroids. But I quite like them now, even in Beef stews! I just posted a leek and potato soup too - got it off some nondescrepit cookbook called Irish Pub Cooking =).
I hesitated before blogging too, I had the same gap between registering my blog and actually posting, I guess in my case it was the fear of not beeing good enough!
And we are all the more grateful (and hungry!) for you taking those steps towards making your food blog a reality as well =)
I love your soup bowl! :-)
I don't think I ever cooked potato soup....time to try!
Simple yet elegent. Your blog is an inspiration! And it is all yours!!
I'm so glad too that you gave blogging a chance, and now you're an inspiration to a newbie like me and many others :). I had a similar experience with many vegetables, like the long-despised but now-loved olive. The temperature where I am just dropped from the 90s back to the 40s, so I'd love a huge steaming bowl of comforting creamy soup.
I've had leek and potato salad, but never soup. Looks good. Must remember this when I'm looking for a slightly "different" soup to make.
Post a Comment