February is the right time to eat Leek soup though I never ate it before I moved to Paris.
But Dr. Mercola says you should eat leeks. A lot! I'm in the right place. This is leek city as far as I'm concerned.
You see them right and left in all the marchés and supermarkets.
Who knew these hardy critters love the cold and fade in the spring? 10 degrees above zero suits them fine. I did not take this picture.
Naturally I doctored up Dr. Mercola's soup recipe. I sautéd a box of white mushrooms first in some olive oil + butter for a nice meaty flavor.
Then I threw in 2 sliced yellow onions to caramelize a bit.
Enfin the leeks or poireaux. You're supposed to slice them in half down the stem but it makes more work slicing them so I skipped that step. No problem.
I even forgot to wash 1of the 3 leeks. No problem and no sandy soup either. Who knew?
Sautéing the mess together.
Then I threw in 11/2 liters of hot water plus 2 chicken bouillon cubes and let it simmer about 20 minutes. I did not puree the finished soup.A. I don't have a hand blender. And B I liked the chunky texture for a warming winter soup. I did try it with the celery root and was mad about it so left it out in the next batch. This is such an easy soup to throw together and deeply satisfying.
Absolutely last thing add a handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley and maybe a splash of red or white wine. Oh don't forget to salt and pepper your veggies!
You could throw in other herbs if you're so inclined. Leeks have a delicate flavor so don't get heavy handed with assertive herbs. Well that's what I think...
Another tip from Dr. Mercola, along with eating plenty of leeks, he wants you to get up from your desk ever 15 minutes throughout the day. I keep m chicken timer on the other side of the room so I HAVE to get up to turn off the alarm. There have been moments when I haven't felt too friendly towards this chicken...but so far I've contained myself.
Back to leek soup.
Fortunately I have a nice botanical pattern on the soup bowls here.
They go very nicely with my stitched together (17th C) dish towels I bought at the musée Carnavale gift shop ages ago.
How did I know I would need 17th century-themed decor right and left some day..?
French engraver Nicolas II de Larmessin did a total of 97 different designs of the various metiers of his day including boulangeres, patissieres, boucheres, gardeners. It goes on and on and they are all charming.
Another French artist of the time I'm mad for is Jacques Callot. I love his whimsical little figures and fluid lines. Wouldn't you know the new Meert shop is on rue Jacques Callot in the 6th. Another reason to visit.
Paris, right now is full of posters celebrating graphic design. I've only seen this turnip/radish. So far no leeks yet.
