A Lucky Break For Potato Haters

Not that to my knowledge there are any, except my daughter. I love potatoes in any dish. Zhara won't even eat tater tots. I couldn't give up, I kept pushing various plates, until one day we tried this, and she liked it! A cream of potato and leeks. After trying out several recipes, my picky princess ruled this one the best of them all: Julia Child's Potage Parmentier, and I never stray from her recipe.

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons flour

3 cups chopped leeks, white part only

4 cups potatoes, diced

1/3 to 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream,

   and/or 2 to 3 tb butter

2 to 3 tablespoons minced parley and/or chives

Melt butter over medium heat. Add leeks, cooking without browning for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and gradually beat in a cup of hot water, blend well then add up to 5 more cups of hot water. Salt - about 1 tablespoon, pepper to taste, and add the potatoes. Simmer partially covered for about 40 minutes.

Mash or blend or process to obtain a smooth puree. Add as much cream or milk as you like, herbs and butter and stir to combine.

For the croutons I butter whatever stale bread I have and toast it for 10 minutes in a 400F oven.