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Vegan Leek Soup with Three Cornered Leek Oil

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Vegan Leek Soup with Three Cornered Leek Oil, Croutons, and edible flowers in a blue bowl

Vegan Leek Soup has never been so creamy, so rich, so comforting. The silky smooth soup has a full-bodied heartiness to it – an earthiness, a coziness. While leeks have a subtle, mellow oniony flavor punctured by hints of sweetness, the three-cornered leek oil on top adds a sharp punchiness of flavor that is just sensational.

Made with only 3 simple ingredients plus the obligatory salt and pepper, it’s also budget-friendly, easy, and simple to cook. I like to make mine in my instant-pot on “soup” mode, but you can also make it a one-pot meal on the stovetop.

It may be a little unconventional to use just leeks for leek soup and no potato – but honestly, the potato isn’t needed. The soup thickens beautifully without it, and this way the focus is all on the beautiful alliums – leek and onion in the soup base, and three-cornered leeks, chives, and spring onions on top as garnish.

This recipe is simple, comforting & economical, but also manages to be vibrant, healthy, creamy, and deliciously flavoured.

What are Three Cornered Leeks?

Three Cornered Leeks are a wild allium species otherwise known as ‘snowbells’. Not native to the UK, they are an invasive plant which has its roots in the Mediterranean. The delicious plant can be found mostly in the South West of the UK, particularly in hedgerows, woodlands, and fields. It grows all year long, but mostly flowers in spring.

All parts of three cornered leeks are edible. The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant, but the stems (slightly watery) and the flowers (crunchy and pungent!) are scrumptious too. Can be used in soups, pesto, pasta, risotto, salads, or garnishes.

Commonly mistaken for wild garlic, the most noticeable difference is in the leaves of the plants; while wild garlic has broader, wider leaves, three cornered leeks have slimmer, more triangular leaves. The flowers, although similar, are also different; wild garlic flowers are pure white with delicate star shaped petals, while three cornered leeks hang in clusters like bluebells, and have fine green lines down each petal.

Beware of mistaking three cornered leeks for daffodils or bluebells – both of which have similar leaves. They can be distinguished by smell as the later has a distinct onion/garlic aroma while the others do not. If in doubt, wait until flowered to be completely sure.

What can I use in place of three cornered leeks?

If you have wild garlic growing in your area, you can make wild garlic oil in exactly the same way – simply substitute the three cornered leeks for equal amounts of wild garlic.

As another option, consider making a simple garlic oil. Simply crush whole cloves of garlic (or finely mince for a more intense flavour) and very gently on low heat cook them until golden. This oil will have a delicious aroma and would be great both on the bread and atop the soup.

Alternatively, add the zest of a lemon as a garnish when serving the soup. This will cut through the creaminess and add a touch of sharp freshness in much the same way.

How to make the best Vegan Leek Soup

  • Wash the leeks! Leeks are often have a lot of dirt trapped between each layer. I usually cut them, and then wash them thoroughly in a large bowl of water. It’s a little time consuming, but an essential step.
  • Use the greens of the leeks. So many recipes tell you to only use the white parts of leeks. This is such a waste – not only are the green tops extremely flavoursome, but they will also make your soup lovely and green.
  • Add three cornered leeks into the soup itself. If you would like an even more vivid colour and you have extra, why not add some three cornered leeks into the soup itself?
  • Season well. This is a simple recipe, which means that the seasoning has to be perfect. Use a high quality salt (pink Himalayan is my favourite) and liberal amounts of freshly ground black pepper. Add bay leaf for a delicate warm aroma.
  • Blend thoroughly. Some people like their soup chunky. But in my opinion, this leek soup really benefits from being pureed. The texture becomes exceptionally creamy without the use of any diary products.

This recipe is …

  • Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Soy Free
  • Healthy, clean and light flavours
  • Quick & easy
  • Great for beginner cooks
  • Beautiful and vibrant
  • Budget friendly
Vegan Leek Soup with Three Cornered Leek Oil, Croutons, and edible flowers in a blue bowl

Leek Soup (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Yield: 2-3
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Creamy Vegan Leek Soup is quick, easy & budget friendly. It's also Gluten Free, Soy Free & Nut Free! Three Cornered Leek Oil differentiates.

Ingredients

For the Soup

  • 2 tsp Olive Oil or Neutral Oil
  • 900g Leek (4 Large), washed and roughly chopped
  • 130g White Onion (1 Medium), roughly chopped
  • 8 Cloves Garlic, crushed
  • 700ml Water or Veg Stock
  • 2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Roughly Crushed Black Pepper or to taste

Three Cornered Leek Oil

  • 10g Three Cornered Leek Stems, washed and cut
  • 50ml Olive Oil

Instructions

  1. Prep your vegetables. Cut and wash your leeks thoroughly. Peel and roughly cut your onion. Peel and crush your garlic to release the flavour.
  2. Sauté the vegetables. Add olive oil to your instant pot (on sauté mode) or saucepan (or medium heat). Once the oil is hot add the leeks, onions and garlic. Cook for around 5 minutes, or until nicely softened and reduced in size. Make sure to stir constantly to ensure even cook and reduce the risk of sticking/burning.
  3. Add the water/stock and cook. Next add the water or vegetable stock to the pan, mix everything well and cook. If using an instant pot, set to soup mode and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. If using a saucepan, cover your pan and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes.
  4. Cool and blend. Once cooked, cool the soup slightly and then use an immersion blender or high-speed blender to puree the soup smooth. You may have to do this in several batches.
  5. Season. Season with salt and pepper to taste and reheat, then serve.
  1. To make the three cornered leek oil, simply add three cornered leek stems and oil to a good blender. Blend until mostly incorporated, and then sieve to filter the flavoured oil from any leftover stems.

Serve the soup top with three cornered leek oil. More serving suggestions below.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 302Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1550mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 5gSugar: 12gProtein: 5g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

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How to serve Vegan Leek Soup

I highly recommend topping the soup with the suggested three cornered leek oil. It is truly an integral part of the recipe; not only does the oil heightens and empathise the beautiful flavour of the leeks, but it cuts through the creaminess with a sharp, clean taste. More than simply a garnish, it elevates a simple (and yet delectable) leek soup to something extraordinary.

Bread in all its forms is perfect to serve alongside the leek soup! Crispy croutons are a personal favourite – simply toss cubed bread in oil and either bake, grill or fry to golden perfection. Alternatively, thinly sliced fried bread, toasted baguettes, or simply crusty loaves are ideal. If you’re feeling extra decadent, opt for a grilled cheese/cheese toastie. Yum!

Finally, garnish with a variety of fresh herbs. I choose chives, spring onions and three cornered leek flowers to emphasize the flavour further.

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