Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Vichyssoise

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 1

Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Vichyssoise - Classic French Cold Leek and Potato Soup

by The Chefin Soup

Prep

15 min

Cook

50 min

Ready In

2h 45 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

570

Sugar

Fat

54g

Vichyssoise is a classic French cold soup that is perfect for hot summer days. This soup was named after the town of Vichy, which is known for its natural, mineral-rich spring water. The soup is made from leeks and potatoes that are slowly cooked until tender, then blended with cream and served chilled. Anthony Bourdain's version of Vichyssoise is a classic recipe from Les Halles in New York City. The soup is perfect for a chic summer picnic or an elegant dinner party. It's smooth, creamy, and indulgent, and it's a great way to showcase the flavors of the French countryside.

Instructions

1.	In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
2.	Add the leeks and potatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3.	Cook the vegetables for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until they begin to soften.
4.	Add the chicken stock and bring the soup to a simmer.
5.	Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender.
6.	Remove the soup from the heat and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
7.	Using a blender or food processor, puree the soup until it is completely smooth.
8.	Stir in the heavy cream and nutmeg and season to taste with salt and pepper.
9.	Chill the soup in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
10.	Serve the soup cold, garnished with chopped fresh chives.

PROS

This soup is creamy, smooth, and flavorful.
It’s a classic French culinary masterpiece that is perfect for summer.

The soup is low in sugar and has a good potassium level thanks to the leeks and potatoes.

CONS

This soup is high in fat and calories due to the heavy cream and butter.

It needs to cool for at least 2 hours before serving to make it nice and cold, which takes some planning.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The leeks in this soup are rich in antioxidants and have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
The potatoes are a good source of fiber and vitamins C and B6. They also contain resistant starch, which promotes good gut health.
The nutmeg in this soup is rich in essential oils, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help support brain health.

	4 tablespoons butter
	8 leeks , white part only , cleaned and thinly sliced
	2 medium potatoes , cut into small cubes
	2 cups chicken stock
	2 cups heavy cream
	4 fresh chives , finely chopped
	1 pinch nutmeg
	salt and fresh pepper