After the ugly rain of yesterday, it was a gorgeous wintery day today. Took the dog for a long walk on the windy yet gorgeous beach, visited with Mom and my elderly Aunt Fran, counted my many blessings in life. After our visit, I realized all this warm and fuzzy external stuff wasn’t helping my inner heater. I was freezing.  I needed something that was rich and satisfying. Warm, cozy comfort food with a little zip. What to do? What to do? I decided to make my spicy version of my sister Jacquie’s famous potato and leek soup. It is SO yummy. Simple. Satisfying. Everything you can ask for on a cold winter day.

Here’s what you need:

3 tps. butter, 1/2 jar spicy GourGanics, 2 cups chopped leeks, 24 oz. bag new potatoes, 1 qt veggie broth or chicken stock, 7 oz shredded white cheddar (I buy mine at the Ffld Cheese Company near Harry’s) 3 teaspoons sour cream.

Here’s what to do:

Cook leeks in butter for 2-4 minutes

Add potatoes and cook for 7 minutes

Add veggie broth or chicken stock

Add salsa

Bring to a boil and simmer until you can pierce the potatoes with a fork.

Remove 1/2 of the potatoes and hold on the side

Add 1 cup of water

Puree the soup with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth and velvety

Stir in remaining potatoes, sour cream and cheese

Garnish with croutons and enjoy.