Leek and Potato Soup W/ Croutons Recipe - Food.com

Ingredients

• 4 leeks, trimmed of tough tops, leave 3 to 4 inches of green on white of leek
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 potatoes, peeled and sliced
• salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
• 6 cups good quality chicken stock (I use 4 c. stock, 2 c. water)
• 2 large garlic cloves, skin removed
• 4 slices whole grain French bread, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 lb thick slab bacon, 1 (1/2-inch)
• chives, sliced thin for garnish
• crusty bread (make your favorite recipe in your bread machine, I make the dough in the machine and transfer to a b)