Julia's Basic Leek and Potato Soup

Wonderful clean flavor (Julia uses water for this soup while Jacques' version uses chicken stock). Jacques's version (p. 55) has a richer flavor, but in Julia's version the use of water really lets the flavor combo of leek and potato come through. Which one to pick really depends on what you are in the mood for ... both are very good.

Because the soup is white, I like a side salad with a more vivid color -- something like red cabbage in a vinaigrette to give an acidic and color contrast to the soup.