Were you intrigued when watching the last season of "Emily in Paris" on Netflix? What is this Magical Leek Soup that Sylvie talks about? Is this a real thing?
Magical Leek Soup is not a new trend but a generations old weight management trick from French women. Leeks, of the onion family, are very good for you and also are a known diuretic.
Author Mireille Guiliano in her book "French Women don't get fat" writes about a weekend leek cleanse. She makes her magical leek soup and then eats the boiled leeks exclusively to "regain equilibrium". Really, I do think that "Emily in Paris" should have quoted Mme Guiliano when referencing the soup - she put it on the map!
I first read Mme Guiliano's book when I was living in France in my twenties and I used this technique several times over the years - it has come in handy! I admit I had forgotten about Magical Leek Soup until Emily in Paris reminded me. Now, 2 children and 10 years later it may be time to start eating more leeks...
The Original Magical Leek Soup
The original Magical Leek Soup is made with nothing but leeks and water. The recipe is super simple:
- Clean and chop 5 leeks.
2. Cover with water in a soup pot.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Strain the broth to sip throughout the day (this is the magical leek soup!) and reserve the leeks to eat as a meal.
Definitely diet food. Delicious diet food, but diet food nonetheless. Hardly a dish I could serve to my husband or kids!
Le Chef's Wife Magical Leek Soup
Very similar to the original Magical Leek Soup but with the addition of potatoes. The potatoes make all the difference!
Add a few potatoes to the recipe and you will have a soup that is filling, creamy in texture and oh so satisfying while keeping all the wonderful benefits of the leeks. My Magical Leek Soup does not feel like diet food, it feels like comfort food. Much closer in taste and consistency to Vichyssoise Soup (a French Bistro classic) but without the cream, butter or chicken stock. Plus, my French Chef husband loves it too. Alors!
The addition of one star anise seed is a French Chef trick that adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the soup. A delicious tanginess that elevates the dish.
Did you know that Vichyssoise was apparently Julia Child's favorite soup? Another reason why I feel connected to Julia Child. You can read about my recent tour of her Georgetown row house here.
FAQS about Leeks
Magical Leek Soup is a broth made from boiling leeks in water. It is a mild diuretic and a secret diet food for French women for generations. The practice, as written by Mireille Guiliano in her book, "French women don't get fat" is to sip the broth throughout the day and eat the boiled leeks as the meal. A leek cleanse that is actually rather tasty!
My recipe is very similar but with a few added ingredients that make the Magical Leek Soup taste more like comfort food than diet food. A few potatoes. Star anise seed for a delicious tang to the broth. A few sautéed leeks as a garnish. This magical leek soup could be served at a dinner party.
Le Chef's Wife Magical Leek Soup is closer in flavor to a Vichyssoise soup, but without the butter, cream or chicken stock.
Le Chef's Wife Magical Leek Soup is also a vegan and gluten free recipe.
Leeks can be intimidating. It is not easy to get all the sand and grit out if you don't know the tricks of the trade. Here is how to clean leeks like a French Chef.
1. Cut off the dark green tops of the leek (chop where you see a hint of light green turn into dark green)
2. Cut off the bottom (the roots)
3. Peel off the top layer of the leek
3. Quarter the top of the leek making two opposite incisions to halfway down the top of the stalk
4. Place the leek upside down in a container of ice cold water.
5. Swirl it about and then let it sit for a few minutes.
The leek will fan open and all the dirt and sand will be released. Now the leek is ready to cook. Bon Appétit!
Most grocery stores will carry them in the fresh produce section. Look next to the celery and the fennel. Trader Joes sells them already washed and trimmed in bags.
They look like a huge green onion. Leeks are of the onion family but they have a much sweeter and nuttier taste than most onions. Sautée sliced leeks in a little olive oil and they are surprising. Add some cream and they literally melt in your mouth. Miam!
Soup Sunday Challenge
Magical Leek Soup is the first recipe of the 8 week Soup Sunday Challenge. The goal is to eat better, one pot of homemade soup per week at a time. One small change that can have an impact on how you, and your family, eat. The ultimate French woman healthy eating trick.
Come and make soup with me! What soup are you cooking this weekend?
Au plaisir,
Le Chef's Wife
Print
Magical Leek Soup
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 6
- Category: soup
- Method: french
- Cuisine: french
Description
Magical Leek Soup - the French woman's diet secret, as referenced in "Emily in Paris". Le Chef's Wife twist on the recipe is delicious and family friendly. It tastes like comfort food yet is incredibly healthy for you. Vegan and gluten free. Tasty and pretty enough to be served at a dinner party.
Ingredients
6 leeks (5 for the soup, 1 for the garnish)
3 medium sized potatoes (yukon gold preferrably)
2 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp of olive oil
1 star anise seed
½ tsp of fleur de sel (French gray rock salt)
8 Cups of Water
Instructions
Peel, clean and chop the leeks - discarding the dark green tops. 5 of the leeks can be chopped in big pieces, 1 leek, the leek you will use for the garnish, should be chopped in fine half rounds.
Peel and quarter the potatoes.
Heat the olive oil into a soup pot on medium heat.
Add the garlic and the leeks for soup (the 5 leeks).
Sautée the leeks for 5 minutes until they start to become translucent. Stir frequently, you don't want them to burn.
Add the fleur de sel.
Pour in 8 cups of water and add the anise seed the potatoes.
Allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are soft.
Taste the broth - add an additional pinch of salt or pepper if needed.
*Remove the star anise seed from the broth - you do NOT want to mix the star anise with the immersion blender!*
Mix the soup with the immersion blender.
(note you can add an additional 2 cups of water, 1 cup at a time, only if needed. The consistency should be thick but still soup like).
For the garnish:
Drizzle ½ tbsp of olive oil in frying pan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped leek you reserved for the garnish and a pinch of fleur de sel.
Stir frequently and allow to cook for 10 minutes. Add ¼ cup of water halfway through to steam the leeks. Careful not to let burn! If the leeks begin to stick to the pan and get dark brown, add a little more water and bring the heat down.
Once the leeks are translucent and soft they are done. Taste them sautéed leeks are deliciously nutty and a little sweet! Add a little more salt to taste (if needed).
To serve:
Spoon the Magical Leek Soup into a bowl. Top with a tbsp of the sautéed leeks. Voilà! A restaurant worthy meal that is filling and comforting but also incredibly good for you!
Bon Appétit,
Le Chef's Wife
Notes
How to clean leeks:
Leeks can be intimidating. It is not easy to get all the sand and grit out if you don't know the tricks of the trade. Here is how to clean leeks like a French Chef.
1. Cut off the dark green tops of the leek (chop where you see a hint of light green turn into dark green)
2. Cut off the bottom (the roots)
3. Peel off the top layer of the leek
3. Quarter the top of the leek making two opposite incisions to halfway down the top of the stalk
4. Place the leek upside down in a container of ice cold water.
5. Swirl it about and then let it sit for a few minutes.
The leek will fan open and all the dirt and sand will be released. Now the leek is ready to cook. Bon Appétit!
Keywords: magical leek soup, leek soup, healthy soups, diet foods, vegan, gluten free
Ann Moser says
This was so easy to make and it tastes great!
★★★★★
lechefswife says
Thank you, Ann! Did you make it already? You are quick!