Chicken & Potato Soup with Bacon

(recipe from this book)

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 250 gr/ 9 oz smoked lean back bacon, chopped
• 2 large leeks, sliced
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1l / 1 3/4 pints chicken stock
• 800 gr / 1 lb 12 oz potatoes, chopped
• 200 gr/ 7 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast, chopped
• 4 tbsp double cream
• salt and pepper
• grilled bacon and springs of flat-leaf parsley, to garnish

Step One

 Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes, until slightly softened. Add the chopped bacon and leeks and cook for a further 3 minutes , stirring.

Step Two

 In a bowl, mix the flour with enough stock to make a smooth paste, then stir it into the pan. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Pour in the remaining stock, then add the potatoes and chicken. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes, until the chicken and potatoes are tender and cooked through.

Step Three

 Stir in the cream and cook for a further 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and ladle into warmed bowls. Garnish with grilled bacon an flat-leaf parsley, and serve immediately.

Poftă Bună !!!