A Culinary Odyssey: Potato Leek Soup – From French Roots to Midwest Hearth

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In the heart of the Midwest, where frozen lakes adorned the landscape and winter winds whispered tales of resilience, my childhood home was a haven that blended the rich tapestry of French-Moroccan heritage with the rustic charm of the heartland. Amidst these frozen landscapes, a culinary journey unfolded—the story of Potato Leek Soup.

French Roots in a Midwest Hearth

As the winds carried echoes of the French countryside, my mother, with her French-Moroccan heritage, brought to our Midwest kitchen a dish deeply rooted in French tradition—the humble Potato Leek Soup. Its origins, traced back to 18th-century France, took on new life against the snowy backdrop of our Midwest abode.

A Symbol of Adaptability

Introduced by King Louis XV and embraced during the French Revolution as a symbol of resourcefulness, Potato Leek Soup became a staple in our Midwest home. Its simplicity mirrored the hardiness required to weather the cold, and yet, it carried the refined essence of French culinary finesse.

Fusion by the Frozen Lake

Our frozen lake, where we indulged in ice hockey and motorcycle escapades, became the canvas for a unique culinary fusion. The aroma of leeks sautéing in the pot blended with the crisp winter air, symbolizing the intersection of French roots and Midwest adventures.

Nourishing Winter Nights

As snowflakes painted the landscape, our family gathered by the fireside, where the aroma of Potato Leek Soup wafted through the air. Each spoonful carried the history of French kitchens and the warmth of Midwest hearths—a nourishing blend that transcended culinary and geographical borders.

Mom’s Culinary Legacy

In the Midwest, Potato Leek Soup wasn’t just a dish; it was a testament to my mother’s adaptability and her skill in weaving together diverse culinary traditions. Her preparation of this classic French soup in the heart of the Midwest created a culinary legacy, a story told through the simmering pot on our stovetop.

A Taste of Heritage and Home

With each ladleful of Potato Leek Soup, we savored the intersection of history and home, of French sophistication and Midwest warmth. The soup, a symbol of adaptability and tradition, became a vessel for memories—of winters spent by the frozen lake, of shared laughter, and of the enduring magic of family.

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Culinary Reflections: Rediscovering Tradition

As I stand by the stovetop, memories of my mother’s hands gracefully maneuvering through pots and pans flood my mind. Recreating the magic she brought to our Midwest kitchen, I invite you to follow the steps in crafting this cherished Potato Leek Soup, where every action is a brushstroke in a culinary masterpiece.

The Olive Oil Prelude

In a large pot over medium heat, a dance begins as olive oil cascades and meets the aromatic duo of leeks and garlic. The sizzle is a symphony, playing the notes of softened perfection, a rhythm my mother once orchestrated, lasting about 8-10 minutes.

Dairy-Free Creamy Potato Leek Soup recipe

Harmony in the Pot

Into this culinary canvas, diced Yukon Gold potatoes tumble, joining a bath of vegetable broth, accompanied by the gentle embrace of bay leaves, thyme, salt, and black pepper. The pot, now a stage, witnesses a performance of flavors coming together in harmony. As the curtains rise, a boil takes center stage, followed by a delicate simmer, allowing the potatoes to tenderize, absorbing the essence of each ingredient over the next 15-20 minutes.

The Enchanting Transformation

With a magician’s flourish, bay leaves and thyme sprigs are whisked away, leaving behind a stage ready for transformation. An immersion blender, my wand in this enchanting culinary realm, takes center stage. The once separate elements now join hands in a ballet, pirouetting into a smooth, velvety symphony.

A Luxurious Finale

1

As the final act unfolds, coconut cream enters the scene, bringing with it a luxurious creaminess. The pot gently simmers for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to intertwine like old friends catching up. Seasoning becomes a dialogue, a careful adjustment with salt and pepper ensuring a perfect cadence.

Whispered Solutions

Should the soup ever seem too thick, a whispered solution is at hand—more vegetable broth, added in delicate increments, until the desired consistency is achieved. The result is a harmony of textures, a balance of flavors, a testament to the adaptability and creativity instilled by my mother’s hands.

Presentation and Culinary Signature

And now, as the curtain falls, the finished creation is ready to grace your table. Ladle the warmth into bowls, garnish with the green confetti of chopped chives—a final touch, a culinary signature. As you savor each spoonful, may you feel the embrace of French tradition and Midwest warmth, a fusion crafted through time and shared moments.

Tradition Meets Innovation: A Dairy-Free Stance

In the spirit of kosher traditions, where the combination of meat and dairy is forbidden, our rendition of this French classic takes a dairy-free stance. While the French embrace the richness of butter and real cream, we opt for the subtlety of olive oil and the velvety embrace of coconut cream, creating a soup that not only captivates the senses but also adheres to the principles that guide our kitchen—a culinary journey where tradition meets innovation. 🌿🍲

Dairy-Free Creamy Potato Leek Soup

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Prep time: 25 minutes minutes Cook time: 40 minutes minutes Total time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes Servings: 6 servings

Author: Kosher Cowboy

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Enjoy the rich flavors of the classic French Potato Leek Soup in this dairy-free version that is quick, easy, and utterly comforting.

INGREDIENTS 1x2x3x▢ 3 tablespoons olive oil▢ 4 large leeks (roughly chopped (white and light green parts only, about 5 cups))▢ 3 cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)▢ 2 pounds potatoes, Yukon Gold (peeled and roughly chopped into ½-inch pieces)▢ 7 cups vegetable broth (or chicken, or bullion )▢ 2 bay leaves▢ 3 sprigs thyme, fresh ▢ 1 teaspoon salt▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ground ▢ 1 cup coconut cream (or another dairy-free alternative)▢ chives, Finely chopped for garnish
ul.wprm-advanced-list-2836 li:before {background-color: #687796;color: #ffffff;width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 14px;line-height: 14px;}INSTRUCTIONS onoffIn a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic, stirring regularly until softened (approximately 10 minutes). Adjust heat to prevent browning. Add potatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are very soft. Remove thyme sprig and bay leaves, then use a hand-held immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. Alternatively, use a standard blender in batches (see note below). Add the dairy-free cream and bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Adjust thickness by simmering to thicken or adding more broth to thin. Garnish with finely chopped chives before serving.

NotesNote: If using a standard blender to purée the soup, be cautious not to fill the jar more than halfway. Leave the lid hole open and cover loosely with a dishtowel to release heat. Pour the blended soup into a clean pot.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Freeze the soup without the dairy-free cream for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 12 hours, reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, and add the dairy-free cream before serving, bringing it to a simmer.

NUTRITIONCalories: 363kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 5gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 1507mgPotassium: 880mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1578IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 3mg

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag me @gokoshercowboy and hashtag it #gokoshercowboy

Tag your culinary journey on Instagram with #KosherCookingAdventure, and don’t forget to follow me at https://www.instagram.com/gokoshercowboy for more delicious inspirations!

For more Kosher Cowboy soups, click here.

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Mourner’s Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom), traditionally said by mourners––that is, those who have lost a parent during the previous eleven months or a child, sibling, or spuce during the last thirty days––and by those observing the anniversary of the death of those close relatives. (In many contemporary communities, the full congregation says it in support of the mourners, and in memory of the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust, assuming that at least one died on any given day.) The mourners Kaddish omits lines 7 and 8 of the Full Kaddish that asks God to answer our prayers, because presumably, God did not grant the mourner’s prayers that the relative recover and live).
אבל: יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא
[קהל: אמן] בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכון וּבְיומֵיכון וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשרָאֵל בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן] קהל ואבל: יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא אבל: יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרומַם וְיִתְנַשּא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא. בְּרִיךְ הוּא. [קהל: בריך הוא:] לְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא בעשי”ת: לְעֵלָּא לְעֵלָּא מִכָּל וְשִׁירָתָא תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן] יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשרָאֵל. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן] עושה שָׁלום בִּמְרומָיו הוּא יַעֲשה שָׁלום עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן]

וְזֹ֖את הַתּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֣ם מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ תּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ מֹשֶׁ֑ה מוֹרָשָׁ֖ה קְהִלַּ֥ת יַעֲקֹֽב׃ הָאֵל֮ תָּמִ֢ים דַּ֫רְכּ֥וֹ אִמְרַֽת־יְהֹוָ֥ה צְרוּפָ֑ה מָגֵ֥ן ה֝֗וּא לְכֹ֤ל ׀ הַחֹסִ֬ים בּֽוֹ׃

Before reading the Torah:
הַשֵּׁם עִמָּכֶם.
יְבָרֶכְךָ הַשֵּׁם.
 

 .בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְהֹוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ
.בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד
.בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְנָתַן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:
 אמן.

After reading the Torah:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת, וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:
אמן.

Beracha recited before the reading of the Haftara:

Mi Sheberach, the Jewish prayer for healing, is one of the most meaningful prayers in Judaism. It is a public prayer or blessing for an individual or group, most often recited in synagogue when the Torah is being read. 

He who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses and Aaron, David and Solomon, may he heal ___ who is ill. May the Holy One, blessed be he, have mercy and speedily restore him to perfect health, both spiritual and physical; and let us say, Amen.

מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ, אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן, דָּוִד וּשְׁלֹמֹה, הוּא יְבָרֵךְ וִירַפֵּא אֶת הַחוֹלֶה ___. הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יִמָּלֵא רַחֲמִים עָלָיו לְהַחֲלִימוֹ וּלְרַפֹּאתוֹ, לְהַחֲזִיקוֹ וּלְהַחֲיוֹתוֹ, וְיִשְׁלַח לוֹ מְהֵרָה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה, רְפוּאַת הַנֶּֽפֶשׁ וּרְפוּאַת הַגּוּף; וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן.

Tefilat HaDerech (Hebrew: תפילת הדרך), also known as the Traveler’s Prayer or Wayfarer’s Prayer in English, is a prayer for safe travel recited by Jews when traveling by air, sea, or long car trips. It is recited at the start of every journey, preferably standing, but this is not required. It is frequently inscribed on hamsas, which may also include the Shema or Birkat HaBayit prayer.

In the “Blessing of Thanksgiving” (Birkat HaGomel), persons in four different categories should express gratitude to God for His compassion toward them:
One who has done one of the following: a) traveled across the ocean (by an international flight, etc.); b) traversed the desert; c) recovered from a very serious illness; d) been released from prison.
All other potentially fatal circumstances that one escapes, such as a wall crumbling on him, an ox goring him, thieves, auto accidents, etc., fall under the category of desert.

The reader recites:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב.

 
The congregations responds:

מִי שֶׁגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב הוּא יִגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב סֶלָה.

NameSymbolSephardi
Sof passukב׃‎סוֹף פָּסֽוּק‎
Sof pasuk
Etnachtaב֑‎אַתְנָ֑ח‎
Atnaḥ
Segolב֒‎סְגוֹלְתָּא֒‎
Segolta
Shalsheletב֓‎שַׁלְשֶׁ֓לֶת‎
Šalšeleþ
Zakef katanב֔‎זָקֵף קָט֔וֹן‎
Záqéf Qáţown
Zakef gadolב֕‎זָקֵף גָּד֕וֹל‎
Záqéf Ggádowl
Tifchaב֖‎טַרְחָ֖א‎
Tarḥa
Riviaב֗‎רְבִ֗יע‎
Revia
Zarkaב֮‎זַרְקָא֮‎
Zarqa
Pashtaב֙‎קַדְמָא֙‎
Qadma
Shene pashtinב֨‎ב֙‎תְּרֵ֨י קַדְמִין֙‎
Tere qadmin
Yetivב֚‎יְ֚תִיב‎
Yetiv
Tevirב֛‎תְּבִ֛יר‎
Tviyr
Pazerב֡‎פָּזֶר גָּד֡וֹל‎
Pazer gadol
Qarne farahב֟‎קַרְנֵי פָרָ֟ה‎
Qarne farah
Telisha gedolaב֠‎תִּ֠רְצָה‎
Tirtzah
Gereshב֜‎גְּרִ֜ישׁ‎
Gerish
Gershayimב֞‎שְׁנֵי גְרִישִׁ֞ין‎
Shene gerishin
Munachב׀‎פָּסֵ֣ק׀‎
Paseq
Merchaב֥‎מַאֲרִ֥יךְ‎
Maarich
Munachב֣‎שׁוֹפָר הוֹלֵ֣ךְ‎
Shofar holech
Mahpachב֤‎‏(שׁוֹפָר) מְהֻפָּ֤ךְ‎
(Shofar) mehuppach
Dargaב֧‎דַּרְגָּ֧א‎
Ddarggá
Kadmaב֨‎אַזְלָ֨א or קַדְמָ֨א‎
Azla or Qadma[18]
Telisha ketanaב֩‎תַּלְשָׁא֩‎
Talsha
Mercha kefulaב֦‎תְּרֵי טַעֲמֵ֦י‎
Tere ta’ame
Yerach ben yomoב֪‎יֵרֶח בֶּן יוֹמ֪וֹ‎
Yeraḥ ben yomo

Spanish-Portuguese custom

זַרְקָא֮ מַקַּף־שׁוֹפָר־הוֹלֵ֣ךְ סְגוֹלְתָּא֒ פָּזֵר גָּד֡וֹל תַ֠לְשָׁא תִּ֩ילְשָׁא אַזְלָ֨א גֵּ֜רֵישׁ פָּסֵק  ׀  רָבִ֗יעַ שְׁנֵי־גֵרֵישִׁ֞ין דַּרְגָ֧א תְּבִ֛יר מַאֲרִ֥יךְ טַרְחָ֖א אַתְנָ֑ח שׁוֹפָר־מְהֻפָּ֤ךְ קַדְמָא֙ תְּרֵ֨י־קַדְמִין֙ זָקֵף־קָט֔וֹן זָקֵף־גָּד֕וֹל שַׁלְשֶׁ֓לֶת תְּרֵי־טַעֲמֵ֦י יְ֚תִיב סוֹף־פָּסֽוּק׃

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