Soy Free Potato Leek Soup

My sister in law has inspired me to add some new recipes to the blog. She has been on a soy free diet for a couple of weeks and it is VERY difficult to find food products that don't contain soy. The most random things seem to include soy and it can be a quite challenging diet. I hope this is one recipe she will enjoy.

6 pieces bacon, divided, or 6 Tbsp. olive oil or dairy-free margarine, divided


4-5 medium leeks, scrubbed and trimmed, white parts only, in 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

8 medium white potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 3-4 cups)

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 c unsweetened dairy-free milk, almond milk or rice milk
Finely chopped chives for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, cook 3 pieces bacon over medium heat until all fat is rendered and bacon is cooked. Remove bacon and set aside. (If not using bacon, heat 3 T oil or margarine over medium heat until quite hot.) Turn heat to low and add leeks. Cover and cook leeks slowly, stirring every few minutes, until leeks are soft and have let out a large quantity of liquid, about 30 minutes. Remove leeks and set aside.

Wipe pot and cook 3 more pieces of bacon until fat is rendered and bacon is cooked. Remove bacon and set aside. (Again, if not using bacon, heat 3 T oil or margarine over medium heat until quite hot.) Cook potato cubes over medium until light brown, about five to seven minutes.

Add leeks, bacon, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.

If you have a stick blender, blend soup until mostly blended (some chunks can and should still remain). Otherwise, remove soup to a blender and pulse several times on a low setting until most chunks are blended. Return soup to stockpot over low heat and stir in 1/2 c dairy-free milk, or more if necessary to bring soup to a spoonable consistency. Heat until soup reaches boiling again. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with chives.

Serves four to six.