Leek, potato and bacon soup (British)

This is a common staple in British kitchens, especially in the autumn and winter since it's an ideal comfort food. Variations on this delicious combination of potatoes and leeks in a creamy soup can be found in the cuisines of other countries as well (see the French Potage Parmentier, for instance). 
Since it's still pretty cold we've started plunging into this ever since October; it's pretty easy to make and a hot bowl of this thing helps you cheer up, relax, enjoy the chilly evening and so on :)
I definitely recommend it for this time of the year. Have fun making it and enjoy! :)
Recipe source: here. 

Last year: Halloumi and chickpea salad with mint and oranges.
Two years ago: Bell pepper sticks with refried bean dip.
Three years ago: Tikka Masala chicken cous cous (British-Indian) and Czech poppy seed cakes (kolaches).





Ingredients (serves 4-6):

• 25 g butter
• 3 long slices of bacon
• 1 large yellow onion
• 400 g leeks
• 3 medium potatoes
• 1,4 liters vegetable stock
• 150 ml simple cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 extra strips of bacon to serve (optional)

Heat the butter in a large soup pot (we always use a Dutch oven for soups and stews for its nice heavy-bottomed quality). Add the minced bacon and the minced onion:

Fry them until the onion is golden and the kitchen smells like the loveliest inn you've ever entered (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile peel the potatoes and cut them into large cubes. Also roughly chop up the leeks.
When the onions and bacon are fried enough, add the potatoes and leeks and mix well:

Cook for 2-3 more minutes, then add the stock. Bring to a boil, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Meanwhile fry the bacon strips for serving.

When the bacon is crisp remove it from the heat and crumble it into little bacon-croutons. When the veggies are boiled, puree the whole thing with an immersion blender. Add the cream:

And puree some more. The soup is done. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper (if necessary). Transfer it to serving bowls and top with the bacon croutons. Dig in! :)