The warm weather is just around the corner…but why not squeeze in one more soup recipe!

2 Tbs Unsalted butter
5 Leeks; white part only, rinsed and julienned
3 Cloves garlic; chopped
1 Onion; diced
1 1/2 cup Dry sherry
5 lg Potatoes; peeled and diced
6 cup Chicken stock
1 cup Heavy whipping cream
2 Tbs Cayenne sauce
1 Tbs Chopped fresh thyme
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

GRILLED CHICKEN
2 tsp Olive Oil
1 Tbs Chopped fresh Basil
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
4 Boneless; skinless chicken breasts

Heat the butter in a large stockpot over high heat until very hot. Add the leeks, garlic, and onion and lightly saute for about 3 minutes. Add the sherry and reduce over high heat until about 1/2 cup of liquid remains. Add the potatoes and stock, lower the heat to medium, and cook until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Puree the soup with a handheld blender or in batches in a food processor or blender and then return the soup to the pan. Add the cream, cayenne sauce, and thyme and season to taste with lots of salt and black pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, to prepare the chicken, oil the grill rack and preheat the grill. Mix together the olive oil, basil, and salt and pepper in a small bowl and rub the chicken with the mixture. Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from the grill, let cool for a few minutes, and then julienne it. Add the chicken to the soup and stir. Cook for a few more minutes if the chicken is still pink inside.

Servings: 6