When the cooler weather rolls around, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of potato soup. This potato leek soup is a Pendle Hill classic, and so easy to make!

• 8 cups chicken stock
• 6 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces
• 4 leeks (whites only), thoroughly washed and sliced
• 3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream

Put the chicken stock, potatoes, leeks, celery, bay leaf and thyme in a large pot and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Boil until the potatoes are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender (or in batches in a blender or food processor), blend the soup until smooth. Pour the soup into a medium pot; add the cream and simmer until the soup has thickened, about 20 minutes.