Name: Belly Warming Potato Leek Soup
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 Tbsp Coconut oil or ghee; 2 medium Leeks (Cut lengthwise, washed & chopped); 5 large cloves garlic (Roasted (preferred, not required)); 2 Bay leaves; 1 tsp Thyme; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth; 1 can full fat coconut milk; 8 baby red potatoes (washed and quartered, skins on); 2-3 chives (to taste )

Ice cold Wisconsin winters are officially among us. Today with the wind chill it is a whopping -13 degrees! I most definitely would not live in this state if my husband agreed to move, but he, for some unknown crazy reason, loves it here. Though I do love the changing seasons and winter activities, when we are in the negatives, I am dreaming of summer sunshine, and shorts. Until then, I will keep our family warm by creating soups, such as this version of Potato Leek soup.

Soup’s On!

One good thing about this weather is that it gives me a wonderful reason to hang out in the kitchen and cook. Soups are one of my favorite go-to dishes for the wintertime. I usually prepare at least one soup a week. Soups store well and can be reheated throughout the week, making them a perfect meal prep option. Additionally, soups are extremely nutrient dense. Herbs, veggies, garlic, and broths are all staples to eating for your mitochondrial health and reducing inflammation throughout the body, a necessity for the prevention of cancer, autoimmune flare-ups, and healthy cell turnover.

Easy Meal Prep

I was lucky to find the time to prep three soups this week including a 3 Bean Chili, Butternut Squash soup, and this Potato Leek soup. This soup is full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. The coconut milk gives it a creamy texture. The potatoes give it a thick, belly warming consistency. The leeks and herbs give it a little kick.

Leeks, like onions and garlic, are part of the allium family. Leeks are rich in sulfur and in Folate, a B Vitamin essential for cardiovascular health and healthy pregnancy. I often use leeks in cooking when I want a less subtle onion flavor, with a hint of richness. Leeks are also fantastic in an omelette!

If you are new to leeks and need a starter recipe, this is it! This recipe is gluten, dairy, corn, and soy free. If you are sensitive to nightshade vegetables, as often seen in Rheumatoid arthritis, this will not work for you. However, if you have done an elimination diet and are able to tolerate nightshade vegetables, this soup is a healthy way to eat them!