Cock-a-leekie soup is a classic Scottish dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. This hearty and flavorful soup is made with chicken, leeks, carrots, and barley. It is often served with a side of bread or rolls. The soup is believed to have originated in the 16th century, and it has been a staple of Scottish cuisine ever since.
There are many different recipes for cock-a-leekie soup, but they all share a few common ingredients. Chicken, leeks, carrots, and barley are the most essential ingredients, but other vegetables, such as celery and potatoes, can also be added. The soup is typically seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs, such as thyme and parsley. Some recipes also call for the addition of cream or milk.
Cock-a-leekie soup is a delicious and nutritious meal that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a relatively easy soup to make, and it can be tailored to your own personal taste. Whether you are a fan of traditional Scottish cuisine or you are just looking for a new and flavorful soup to try, cock-a-leekie soup is a great option.
This article includes two different recipes for cock-a-leekie soup. The first recipe is a traditional Scottish recipe, while the second recipe is a more modern take on the classic dish. Both recipes are delicious and easy to make, so you can choose the one that best suits your taste.
TASTY SCOTTISH COCK-A-LEEKIE SOUP
Cock-a-leekie soup is a staple dish in many Scottish homes and, if you've been brought up eating Scottish food, there is a high chance you'll be familiar with this warming chicken and leek based soup. Traditionally served in the winter and named 'Scotland's National Soup' Cock-a-leekie is a thick and flavoursome soup consisting of leeks, chicken and rice traditionally garnished with prunes.
Provided by Phil & Sonja
Categories Recipes
Time 1h45m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Chop the green parts off the leeks and put in the bottom of a pot, place the chicken on top.
- Surround the chicken with the celery sticks, carrots, onion, and bay leaves. Cut them down to fit if necessary.
- Add liberal amounts of salt and white pepper.
- Pour cold water over the top (it should cover the chicken so you may need to use a little more or less than stated.
- Cover and bring to the boil, then turn down to simmer for about one hour, until juices run clear when you push a knife into the chicken, or the chicken is falling off the bone.
- Chop two whites of the leeks into rounds. The other two remains of the leeks are not necessary for the rest of the recipe so you can set aside to use for something else.
- Chop the 2 remaining carrots into small pieces.
- Use a spoon to remove some of the fat that floats to the top of the water.
- Remove the chicken (I find the most uncomplicated way is to put in a colander over a bowl to collect any extra liquid, then tip the liquid back in the pot).
- Set aside to cool a little.
- Take the green part of the leeks, the onion, celery, and carrots from your stock.
- Add the chopped whites of the leeks and the carrot and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the rice and simmer for a further 15 minutes, until the rice is cooked.
- Meanwhile, remove the chicken from the bone and shred, and discard the bones.
- Taste the stock and add more salt and pepper if necessary or simmer for longer and allow it to reduce to strengthen the flavour.
- Add the shredded chicken back in and allow to heat through for a few minutes.
- Dish into a bowl and sprinkle with a few chopped, dried, prunes then serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400 calories, Carbohydrate 27 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 105 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 17 grams fat, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 279 grams sodium, Sugar 9 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams unsaturated fat
COCK A LEEKIE SOUP
Traditional Scots soup of chicken and leeks. One pound of potatoes, peeled and cubed, could be substituted for the barley, if desired.
Provided by briony
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes
Time 1h40m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large pot over high heat, combine the chicken, water, onion and barley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Remove chicken, discard the bones and skin, chop meat into bite size pieces and return to the pot.
- Add the chicken broth, leeks, celery, thyme, parsley, salt and ground black pepper. Simmer for 30 more minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 242.8 calories, Carbohydrate 12.4 g, Cholesterol 125.9 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 32.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 502.8 mg, Sugar 2.6 g
COCK-A-LEEKIE SOUP
Steps:
- Cut up the whole chicken and chop some of the meat into pieces. (You will have leftover chicken meat.)
Nutrition Facts : Calories 930 kcal, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 274 mg, Fiber 6 g, Protein 90 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Sodium 622 mg, Sugar 11 g, Fat 43 g, ServingSize Serves 4, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
COCK-A-LEEKIE
This porridgelike soup has Scottish roots. Barley makes it thick, and prunes give it a slightly sweet note; white wine and vegetables, includung leeks, add flavor. It's a popular lunch bowl that hits the spot.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a 6-quart Dutch oven on medium-high until hot. Add thighs; cook until browned, turning once, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with breasts.
- Add broth, wine, celery, carrot, and garlic to Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; scrape any browned bits from pot; return chicken to pot, reduce heat, and simmer, skimming as necessary, for 1 hour. Transfer chicken to a plate; let cool. Transfer vegetables to another plate; reserve.
- Add leeks, prunes, and barley to broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until thick, about 40 minutes more. Once chicken has cooled, shred meat. Finely dice carrot and celery. Stir chicken, carrot, celery, and parsley into soup, heat through, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 416 g, Cholesterol 132 g, Fat 5 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 43 g, Sodium 754 g
COCK-A-LEEKIE SOUP
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories appetizer
Time 1h45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small bowl combine the prunes with the Scotch and 2 tablespoons of water and set aside. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Place a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Saute the chicken on each side until well-browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and pour off any fat left in the pan. Add the remaining butter to the pan, saute the leeks over medium-low until tender, about 25 minutes. Tie the parsley, thyme, and bay leaf with a piece of kitchen twine. Add the herb bundle, the chicken and the broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, and then lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook the soup for until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 25 minutes. Remove the chicken, set aside to cool slightly. Remove the herb bundle and discard. Skim any fat from the surface of the soup with a spoon or ladle, if needed. Remove the chicken meat from the bones and cut into 1-inch chunks. Add the chicken cubes, the prunes, and their liquid to the soup. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes. To serve divide the soup evenly among 6 warm soup bowls.
- Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.
SCOTTISH COCK-A-LEEKIE SOUP
It may take a few hours to make this famous Scottish soup but there's really not much to it other than some chopping and simmering. It's one of the world's best chicken soups! Top with freshly ground black pepper and chopped fresh chives.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Chicken Soup
Time 4h10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cut off the leek tops (the dark green, fibrous parts) and wash well. Set aside the leek bottoms.
- Put clean leak tops in the bottom of a large pot. Place chicken on top and add bay leaf, garlic, dried plums, and 3 quarts water. Set over high heat until it starts to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low or low and simmer gently, occasionally pushing the chicken under the liquid with tongs, for 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare leek bottoms by trimming off the root ends and slicing them in half lengthwise. Turn leeks and cut crosswise into ½-inch slices. Transfer to a large bowl and fill with cold water so leeks are floating. Toss with your hands to loosen dirt. Grab leeks with your hands, shake gently to remove water, and transfer to another bowl. Place in the refrigerator until needed.
- Carefully lift chicken with two forks, let liquid drain from the cavity, and place it in a bowl. Separate meat from skin and bones. Tear meat into bite-sized pieces put in the refrigerator until needed.
- Place skin and bones back into the pot and gently simmer for 1 more hour.
- Set a colander in a bowl. Use a skimmer spoon to transfer all solids from the broth to the colander. Discard solids and transfer any broth back to the pot.
- Add half of the sliced leeks to the pot with salt, pepper, and rice. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour, skimming some fat off if you want and adding more water if it's reducing down too much.
- Add remaining sliced leeks, chicken, and thyme. Simmer over medium-low for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.1 calories, Carbohydrate 37 g, Cholesterol 227 mg, Fat 46.2 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 59.9 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 1224.8 mg
COCK-A-LEEKIE SOUP (SCOTTISH CHICKEN AND LEEK SOUP)
Leeks star in this classic Scottish chicken soup, adding their sweet, oniony flavor to the meaty, fragrant broth. Some versions of this recipe omit the prunes, but their rich fruitiness is what sets this dish apart from other chicken soups. Rice, either brown or white, can stand in for the barley, and some recipes call for oats (in which case use an equal amount of steel-cut, rather than rolled). For a heartier, more stewlike soup, use 3/4 cup barley.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Time 2h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Season chicken with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Set chicken aside while prepping the other ingredients.
- Put leek greens, carrot peels, celery leaves, garlic, parsley stems, thyme, bay leaf and star anise at bottom of a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Place chicken on top of the vegetables. Add remaining 1 teaspoon salt and the peppercorns, and pour in 8 cups cold water, or enough to just submerge the chicken.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer and partly cover the pot. Cook until chicken is cooked through and very tender, 45 to 55 minutes.
- While the chicken cooks, thickly slice 3 of the leek whites into 1/2-inch coins. Thinly slice the remaining leek white; set thinly and thickly sliced leeks aside separately.
- When the chicken is tender, using tongs, transfer to a large bowl or plate to cool. Strain the broth into a large bowl, discarding vegetables and herbs.
- Wipe out the Dutch oven and return it to medium-high heat. Add butter, letting it melt. Add the thick leek coins (save the thinly sliced leek for garnish), a pinch of salt and pepper, and sauté until tender and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer leek whites to a bowl (they can go on top of the chicken if there's room).
- Pour broth back into the pot. Bring broth to a brisk simmer, and stir in barley, carrots and celery. Let broth simmer uncovered until the liquid is reduced by a third, and the barley and vegetables are tender, 40 to 50 minutes.
- While the broth is simmering, use a fork or your fingers to shred chicken into bite-size pieces, discarding skin and bones.
- Once the barley and vegetables are tender, stir in shredded chicken, sautéed leek whites and the prunes, and simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the prunes to soften (some might disintegrate). Taste and add salt, if needed. To serve, garnish with thinly sliced leek whites and parsley leaves.
COCK-A-LEEKIE (CHICKEN AND LEEK SOUP)
Make and share this Cock-a-Leekie (Chicken and Leek Soup) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Molly53
Categories Poultry
Time 1h
Yield 7 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat all ingredients except leeks to boiling in large stockpot or Dutch oven.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
- Add leeks.
- Bring back to a boil; reduce heat.
- Cover and simmer until thickest pieces of chicken are done, about 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken from broth and cool slightly; remove chicken from bones and skin.
- Skim fat from both and remove bay leaf.
- Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces and return to broth.
- Heat about 5 minutes; serve.
COCK A LEEKIE SOUP
Cock a Leekie Soup is a Scottish peasant dish with many regional variations, some which goes back as far as the 16th century. Some cooks add chopped grilled bacon, some use beef stock, some add Jamaican pepper and many suggest offering stewed prunes with the finished dish. From britishfoods.about.com. Posted for ZWT6.
Provided by lazyme
Categories Whole Chicken
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Put the chicken in a pot with enough water to more than cover.
- Add 6 leeks.
- Cover the pot and simmer gently for 1 hour or until the chicken is falling off the bone.
- Remove the chicken and reserve.
- Strain the stock into a fresh pot, add the rice and cook in a covered pot for 10 minutes.
- Add the grated carrots and the remainder of the chopped leeks and continue cooking for 20 minutes.
- Taste for intensity of flavour and, if necessary, reduce further to increase the taste.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Chop a little of the reserved chicken and add to the finished soup.
- Note: The reserved chicken is sometimes served as a separate course with mealie or boiled potatoes and a very strong sauce or perhaps yellow mustard.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 601.5, Fat 24.3, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 107, Sodium 186, Carbohydrate 64.8, Fiber 6.5, Sugar 12.6, Protein 31.6
Tips:
- Use good quality ingredients for the best flavor. Organic chicken and vegetables are ideal.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. A bay leaf, some thyme, or a pinch of nutmeg can add extra depth of flavor.
- If you don't have time to make your own chicken stock, you can use a good quality store-bought brand.
- To make the soup even more creamy, add a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream before serving.
- Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or crackers for dipping.
Conclusion:
Cock-a-leekie soup is a classic Scottish dish that is perfect for a cold winter's day. It is hearty, flavorful, and relatively easy to make. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a warm and satisfying soup, give cock-a-leekie a try. You won't be disappointed!
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