Cockaleekie Soup Recipe With Prunes And Leeks

Cockaleekie soup - the perfect dish to warm your soul on a chilly day! This traditional Scottish soup is packed with flavor and hearty ingredients. Let’s dive into the world of this delicious soup and find out how to prepare it!

A Taste of Scotland: Cock A Leekie Soup

First things first, let’s talk about the star of the show - the Cockaleekie soup itself! This soup has been coined as Scotland’s “national” soup, and for good reason. It is a combination of tender chicken, leeks, prunes, and a savory broth that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, about 3-4 pounds, cut into pieces
• 4 leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
• 8 prunes, pitted
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced leeks. Sauté until they start to soften and become fragrant.
3. Add the carrots, celery, bay leaf, and prunes to the pot. Stir everything together.
4. Return the chicken pieces to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1 hour or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Using tongs, remove the chicken pieces from the pot and set them aside to cool slightly. Once cooled, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
6. With a hand blender or a regular blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
7. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Simmer the soup for an additional 10 minutes to allow all the flavors to come together.
9. Serve hot, garnished with some fresh parsley or thyme, if desired.

Preparation time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Nutrition Facts: (per serving)

• Calories: 250
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 800mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 20g

Now that your bowl of Cockaleekie soup is ready, it’s time to enjoy the savory flavors and comforting warmth it brings. But before you dive in, here are a few tips to make your soup even more delicious:

Tips for the Perfect Cockaleekie Soup:

• For a deeper flavor, you can add a splash of white wine to the soup while simmering.
• Feel free to customize the soup by adding your favorite herbs and spices. Thyme, parsley, and rosemary work wonders in this recipe!
• If you don’t have prunes on hand, you can substitute them with dried apricots or dates for a slightly different twist.
• To make the soup heartier, you can add cooked rice or barley to the pot along with the shredded chicken.

Now that you’re armed with a steaming bowl of Cockaleekie soup and some handy tips, go ahead and savor every spoonful of this traditional Scottish delight. It’s a recipe that will warm not just your body, but also your heart!