Spiced leek, potato & lentil soup

This spiced leek, potato & lentil soup gives a tasty twist on the traditional Vichyssoise and is delicious served with either warm crusty bread, or authentic Indian naan bread too!

Serves: 4

Ready in: 25 minutes

Costs: 90p per serving

INGREDIENTS:

1 tbsp cumin seeds

40g/1½oz butter

4 medium leeks, trimmed and sliced

thumb-size piece fresh root ginger, peeled then grated

handful fresh coriander, stalks finely chopped

1 fat red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

1 large (250g/9oz) Maris Piper or King Edward potato, peeled and thinly sliced

175g/6oz split red lentils

1 litre/1¾ pints chicken or vegetable stock

300ml/½ pint semi-skimmed milk

4 tbsp half fat crème fraiche or creamy yogurt, to serve

WHAT TO DO:

1 Put a large saucepan over a medium heat then add the cumin seeds. Cook for 2 minutes, or until toasty and fragrant. Set ½ tsp aside for later.

2 Add the butter to the pan, let it melt and sizzle around the cumin, then stir in the leeks, ginger, coriander stalks and most of the chilli. Cover and let the flavours sweat together for 5 minutes.

3 Stir in the potato and lentils, then the stock and milk. Bring to a boil then simmer for 15 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.

4 Blitz the soup in the saucepan using a stick blender, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, add a swirl of crème fraiche or yogurt, then scatter with the reserved chilli, toasted cumin and coriander leaves. Enjoy with warm naan bread.

Recipe by:  British Leeks