In a large heavy bottom stock pot or soup pot. Sauté the leeks in butter on low heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the potatoes, broth, thyme and bay leaf. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove the sprigs of thyme and bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until your desired smoothness is reached. Stir in the heavy cream, and add salt and pepper to taste.
SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS:
In a pan on the stove top, sauté the leeks in butter on low heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add cooked garlic and leeks along with the remaining ingredients (except heavy cream) to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or high for 4 - 6 hours, until potatoes are fork tender. Remove the thyme and bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup, then stir in cream. Finish with salt and pepper to taste.
INSTANT POT DIRECTIONS:
Use sauté mode to cook the leeks in butter until tender (about 5 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Turn off sauté, and add the potatoes, broth, thyme and bay leaf.
Cover, set to sealing, and cook on manual (high pressure) for 5 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for about 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
Remove the thyme and bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup, then stir in cream. Finish with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Calories are automatically generated. For best results calculate based on your exact ingredients.Instant pot tips:
Cook time - Most electric pressure cookers take about 10 - 15 minutes to come to pressure. The inputted cook time will begin after the pot is pressurized.
Natural pressure release - Hit cancel and walk away from the pot. It will slowly naturally depressurize. Depending on the contents this can take anywhere between 10 - 20 minutes for a full natural release.
Quick release - Turn the dial at the top of your pot to allow the pressure to release quickly. Always use a long handled utensil for this to avoid steam burns. Do not quick release under cabinets or you may cause steam/water damage. If there is sputtering, quickly turn dial back to 'sealing' and allow it to naturally depressurize a few minutes before trying again.