Pasadena Star News/2/14/04

Champagne Leek Soup with Oysters and Caviar

Servings Preparation Time Cooking Time Calories % from Fat Fat Sodium Carbohydrates Protein Cholesterol
6 N/A N/A 395 N/A 22gm 1766 32gm 9gm 130mg


INGREDIENTS:
SOUP: 1 cup white onion, sliced 5 garlic cloves, crushed 5 tablespoons butter, or more if needed, divided
2 quarts diced leeks, white part only salt to taste 1 cup champagne
2 small Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters 1 sprig fresh thyme 1 quart chicken stock
2 cups water 1/2 cup cream GARNISH: 1 cup diced leeks, white part only
1/2 cup cream 1 cup diced white potatoes 1 sprig thyme
1 bay leaf 1/4 cup champagne 18 fresh oysters, shucked, with their liquor
2 ounces quality caviar



1 To make soup, sweat onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons butter on a low flame until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add more butter if the mixture gets dry. Add leeks and a pinch of salt; continue cooking 2 minutes longer. Add 1 cup champagne, raise heat and reduce the mixture by half, making sure it doesn't boil.
2 Add Yukon potatoes, thyme, chicken stock and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cream. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Blend until smooth. Strain through a chinois sieve. Taste soup, and adjust the seasonings.
3 For garnish, sweat leeks in butter, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cream and cook until the leeks are soft, about 2 minutes more. Boil potatoes with thyme and bay leaf until just cooked through. Drain and add potatoes to leek-cream mixture. Mix well.
4 Right before serving mix 2 tablespoons butter and remaining 1/4 cup champagne. Blend until light and frothy. Pour into a warmed soup tureen. Reheat leek mixture. Heat oysters in their liquor, adding a bit of butter, if needed.
5 Place about 1 tablespoon of the leek mixture in the center of 6 soup bowls. Place 3 oysters on top, then garnish with caviar. Carefully ladle the soup around the leeks and oysters so that the garnish is floating on top.

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