Ingredients
Method
Sauté the Vegetables:
- In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped leeks and sliced carrots, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until the leeks are soft and translucent.
Build the Soup Base:
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine with the vegetables.
- Add the dried dill, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf.
- Mix in the diced potatoes, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Sauté the Mushrooms:
- While the soup simmers, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant.
- Stir the sautéed mushrooms into the soup.
Thicken the Soup:
- In a small bowl, whisk the half-and-half and flour until smooth and lump-free.
- Gradually stir this mixture into the soup, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly.
Serve and Garnish:
- Remove and discard the bay leaf.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh leeks, mushrooms, and potatoes for the best flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Adjust the thickness by adding more or less flour depending on your preference.
- Experiment with mushroom varieties like cremini, shiitake, or a wild mix for added depth of flavor.