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Vichyssoise

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on June 21, 2012

Time

1¼ hours, plus 4 hours chilling

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Vichyssoise

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 pounds leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly1 onion, chopped fineSalt and white pepper2 ½ cups whole milk 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 8 ounces red potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Before You Begin

Using white pepper means your soup won’t be flecked with black.

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add leeks, onion, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Add milk, broth, potatoes, and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper; increase heat to medium-high; and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until potatoes are completely tender, about 20 minutes.
  2. Let soup cool for 10 minutes. Working in batches, process soup in blender until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Strain soup through fine-mesh strainer into large bowl. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days. Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve, garnished with chives.
Vichyssoise

Vichyssoise

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

1¼ hours, plus 4 hours chilling

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
1 onion, chopped fine
Salt and white pepper
2 ½ cups whole milk
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces red potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
1 onion, chopped fine
Salt and white pepper
2 ½ cups whole milk
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces red potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
1 onion, chopped fine
Salt and white pepper
2 ½ cups whole milk
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces red potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

When a soup is served cold, the flavors can be muted. A triple dose of onion—leeks, chopped yellow onion, and chives—creates intense, layered flavor. Low-starch red potatoes give body to the soup without causing gumminess. Although it’s classically a creamy soup, we found that fatty cream dampened flavor; by simmering the vegetables in milk and chicken broth, we got just the right balance of richness. And while straining may seem fussy, it’s key for a silky texture.

Before You Begin

Using white pepper means your soup won’t be flecked with black.

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add leeks, onion, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Add milk, broth, potatoes, and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper; increase heat to medium-high; and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until potatoes are completely tender, about 20 minutes.
  2. Let soup cool for 10 minutes. Working in batches, process soup in blender until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Strain soup through fine-mesh strainer into large bowl. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days. Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve, garnished with chives.

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