Given the unseasonable warm temperatures we have had recently, I felt like I had to wait until temps were below 60 degrees in NYC before I could share this recipe. (Although I could enjoy this no just about any time.) So with temps taking a slight dip this weekend, I can’t think of a better time to wrap your hands around a comforting warm bowl of soup.
Potato Leek Soup is as classic as you can get when it comes to soup recipes. It’s also as easy and simple as you can get without skimping on flavor. I used a recipe by Melissa Clark as my road map but most recipes call for just three main ingredients – potatoes, leeks and stock. I subbed olive oil where she used butter and topped mine with fresh cracked pepper. (I even got a little carb happy and dipped crusty bread into the bowl when I had it for dinner.)
Melissa suggested that the key to a great Potato Leek Soup, aside from using high quality stock, is to “brown the heck of of the leeks” to develop their flavor. I’m glad I listened. The extra few minutes gave what could easily be a bland soup lots of depth of flavor.
Simple and easy enough for you to pour into a bowl and then wrap yourself in a blanket to watch your favorite episode of Real Housewives/Bachelor/Teen Mom/Basketball Wives/(insert other favorite trashy yet irresistible reality TV show here).
Potato Leek Soup
Ingredients:
2-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 medium leeks or 2 giant ones
4 large yukon gold potatoes, peeled
1 teaspoon kosher
1/2 teaspoon fresh Salt and pepper
1 quart chicken stock
Fresh cracked pepper, for garnish
Directions:
Clean the leeks by chopping off the dark green stems (leave the white and an inch or two of the light green). Split the leeks down the center vertically to expose all the soil trapped in the layers. Rinse well under running water. Thinly slice the leeks discarding the hairy root.
In a soup pot, heat the olive oil. Add the leeks and saute until golden brown all over, about 6 to 8 minutes. While the leeks are cooking, chop potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
Season leeks with salt and pepper and add the potatoes. Then add the stock or water. It should cover the veggies by at least 1/2-inch. If not, add more water. Bring to a simmer and partially cover the pot. When the potatoes are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes later, puree the soup using an immersion blender (working in batches, a blender works as well). If it's too thick, thin it down with water or stock or cream. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish with freshly cracked pepper to serve.
Over the last few years, I have attended my fair share of cookbook signings. My most recent was The Pioneer Woman’s first stop on the tour for her highly anticipated second cookbook, which was last night in New York City.
As with many of the signings I have attended, the date was in my calendar since it was first announced. I planned what I was going to say to the Country Queen when I got to the front of the line. I planned to wear something “cute” and have my curls not be a a frizzy mess. And as has happened with most of the signings I have attended, I practically lost my ability to speak in complete sentences when I was in front of the woman, my hair was pulled back in a disastrous bun and my outfit – let’s just say far from cute. Oy!
The beauty, however, was that when I got to the front of the line last night none of that mattered. Ree was all smiles and gracious to every single person in attendance – from the first person until the last, which was almost three hours after she started signing books. She personalized each book and spent time talking to each and every single fan, she even remembered me from last year, when I attended the signing for her novel. I was beyond flattered.
I’d love to say that I have had the same experience at all of the previous book signings I have attended but it has not been the case. The most disappointing was one for Ina Garten where fans were passed through a conveyor belt of people before finally seeing Ina who did not personalize books, spend much time with fans or even pose for pics. I was crushed.
Thankfully, this was not the case last night. Thanks Ree for spending time with all of us that love and adore you. And thanks for showing us how much you appreciate your fans. YOU ROCK!
Today I am celebrating Dominican Republic’s Day of Independence on A Chica Bakes. Last year I commemorated the day with tostones, which will forever be one of my favorite things to eat. This year, I’m givin ya’ll something sweet, courtesy of my favorite (and the BEST) Latin restaurant in New York – Ideya.
Now I have to start off by saying that I do not enjoy eating out at Latin restaurants. I’m spoiled and come from a family of some of the best cooks I know. They don’t measure, read cookbooks or watch cooking shows. They just COOK THEIR BUTTS OFF. I have never found food in a Latin restaurant that came anywhere close to what I enjoyed at home. But that all changed almost 10 years ago when I first stepped foot in Ideya. It was love at first bite.
What first drew me into Ideya was how much it reminded me of home. From its colorful decor to their cafe con leche (made with Bustelo, of course), so much of it was familiar and authentic. But what has kept me going year after year is how much of it is new. Ideya’s Chef Isaac Reyes has perfected the flavors of Latin Caribbean cuisine. But in all of its dishes you will find flavors spanning the entire globe, including Chef Isaac’s’ native Mexico. It’s homey Latin food kicked up a few notches. And did I mention they have THE BEST MOJITO IN NUEVA YORK?
As if great cocktails and savory eats were not enough, then there’s dessert. And not just any dessert but a legendary tres leches cake. Yes, legendary. Read more
I know that in my last post I said that sometimes dessert is not enough. But we all know that sometimes all we want is a sweet, warm treat. At breakfast. To make you feel all warm and cozy on a chilly Sunday morning. When you are cuddled up on the couch along your hairy little dog and loving husband taking in the comforts of home.
So I’m keeping this one short and sweet so that you can gather up your ingredients to make these delightful muffins and enjoy them cuddled up next to someone you love this weekend. And enjoy the comfort of your home before the frenzy of the super bowl.
Think of this beauty of a muffin as a light and cakey slice of all the flavors we love pumpkin pie brightened up with a burst of fresh squeezed orange juice. Too easy to make (and delicious of course) for you to miss out on. Try ‘em out and see for yourself. Read more
As much as I love cookies, cake and ice cream, a smart chica can’t survive on sweets alone. That’s probably why some of the savory recipes I have recently featured here have been getting lots of amor lately. Here are some of my favorites.
Pernil (or roast pork shoulder) – enjoy this Latin delicacy the next time you’re in the mood for some down home roll up your sleeves good cooking. As far as I’m concerned, in my kitchen, it doesn’t get better than this. And the secret to my pernil is this seasoning blend, handed down to me by my mami.
To keep it authentic, have some Tostones (double fried green plantains) to go along with your pernil.
If Italian is more your idea of comfort food, then look no further than this Pasta Bolognese. It’s a labor of love to make but will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside like nothing else can.
Or try this 4-ingredient Tamari Roasted Salmon for something a bit more figure friendly. Healthy never tasted so good.
If you still want to bake, I’ve go two show stoppers for you. First, this Potato, Onion and Gruyere Galette. It’s potatoes, caramelized onions, gruyere cheese and pie crust – what’s not to love about that.
There’s also these Cheddar Black Pepper Biscuits. Because who doesn’t love a warm, fresh baked biscuit. They may not look like a show stopper. But they surely pack a flavor punch.
Happy Eating!
These doughnuts were inspired by what may become a new holiday tradition.
My family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve and my husband’s on Christmas Day. However, this past season, my mother-in-law (aka The Cook) was away which meant that either I was cooking on both days or we were eating out on Christmas Day. Although it felt really strange, eating out of Christmas Day won.
We made a reservation at The Palm in Tribeca. I had never been but after just a few bites of my appetizer, knew I was in for a real treat and secretly hoped this would become a new holiday tradition. Every part of our meal from the apps, the steaks, the drinks and the service was incredible. And even better – dessert, which is often the forgotten course, was a delightful surprise.
The best part of dessert was my husband’s selection – a warm bag of doughnuts served with a raspberry and chocolate dipping sauce. He and I were immediately smitten. A warm doughnut hole that was crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside that was dusted in cinnamon sugar. Then you have your choice of dipping in either warm gooey chocolate or sweet and tart raspberry.
On the way home, my doughnut loving husband begged me to recreate the dessert at home. He continued to beg again, and again, and again. I finally obliged and was so happy I did. Read more
Cheesecake and I were not always the best of friends. If it wasn’t one this or another but I could just never get it right. My crust would fall apart. The top cracked. The water bath leaked into the spring form pan. The cheesecake contorted after I unmolded. You name it and it happened.
I recently decided I’d give it another try and this one was for all the marbles. If it didn’t work out, my quest for cheesecake perfection was over.
Along the way I learned a few things, which as you can see resulted in one stunning cheesecake. The individual steps of making cheesecake are not at all difficult. But the process requires tons of patience and restrain. Read more
Are you a soft and chewy cookie lover? Or do you prefer your cookies more crisp and crunchy?
I’m an “always seeking balance” Libra. )Which really means I can never make up my mind.) And so is the case for me and the cookie texture debate. I tend to like my cookies a bit on the crunchier side. But can’t deny the satisfaction of biting into a warm, gooey, chewy chocolate chip cookie, like this one.
Snickerdoodles are one of those cookies that most people enjoy on the softer side. When I gave this recipe a whirl, I took on a few too many tasks in the kitchen at the same time and ended up over-baking the cookies just a tad. I thought I had ruined them but to my surprise the chocolatey cinnamonny goodness was just as delicious on the crispier side. Read more
What is it about pumpkin treats that we all love so much (and made me jump for joy when I saw a 3-pack of huge cans of pumpkin puree for sale at Costco recently)?
Anything pumpkin is super comforting. It helps us welcome the chill in the air of the perfect Autumn day and get us through the dog days of Winter. But is is the pumpkin that we all like or all the other things that come along with pumpkin treats, namely the spices? I think it’s all about the spices – cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, all spice. They warm up the insides of our mouths and when they reach our bellies, make up feel all warm and cozy.
That’s exactly what you will feel after your first bite of this bread (which is really a cake in disguise and an excuse to have cake for breakfast). Read more
I’ve gotten a bit of a slow start to 2012 on the blog. I think it’s because I still can’t get over last year. Words aren’t enough to describe just how amazing of a year 2011 was for me. But let me make an attempt here.
Had fun with a coconut and my first from scratch (and super delicious) recipe.
Took my first solo vacation to London and Paris.
Watched one of the world’s top soccer teams kick butt in Barcelona.
Shared a glass of vino with a bestie for breakfast (it was Europe folks).
Tossed coins in Rome’s Trevi Fountain.
Steered a sailboat. Or rather, gave it a really good try. Turns out I’m better at making sure everyone on board has a stiff cocktail.
Shared some of my most beloved savory recipes on this ‘lil ‘ol blog.
Held hands with a bestie while watching July 4th fireworks.
Was featured in a 3-page spread in the NY Daily News (still pinching myself over this). Pardon my “look” in this pic. It was taken right after I bought the paper that Sunday. At like, um, 6:30am.
Took a quick impromptu trip with my husband to Philadelphia that resulted in an incredible culinary experience with food from here, here, here and here.
Baked with a special little girl.
Had the time of my life at the New York Wine and Food Festival.
Bought my very first car. Oh – it was brand spankin new too.
Enjoyed a private plunge pool with the hubs in Mexico.
Caught some beads during a Halloween parade in New Orleans.
Met and had a blast with some amazing gals in Atlanta (photo courtesy of How To Simplify).
If 2012 is only half as incredible as 2011 was, I will be one happy chica. Hope everyone is having a great start to the year. And get ready – because it’s going to be a delicious one around here.
Happy New Year Everyone!
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