Leeks, delicious veggies found in the onion family, have a sweet and spicy flavor and offer a list of health benefits. So, not only is mushroom leek soup delicious, it's good for you!

Whether you're just looking for something new to try or you're starting your foraging journey, this recipe is a simple way to make something yummy.

Foraging for Leeks in the Woods Out Back

Fortunately, wild leeks are incredibly easy to find. And you can use them in more than just leek soup so be sure to remember where you find them (in case you want more for a different dish!).

The best time to collect leeks is late in the spring season. The beginning of May is generally the best time, especially in the Northeast. They're found in the forest, AKA the woods, and they're pretty common. If you have a good nose, you may be able to smell them as you get closer.

Once you find a patch, be sure not to grab them all. Grab a handful from each patch you find to ensure they continue to thrive.

You can get them out using a small garden shovel. Dig them up carefully and pull it out of the ground. Wipe off the excess dirt and debris then add them to your foraging basket.

Mushroom Leek Soup Ingredients

Now that you've collected all the leeks, it's time to get the rest of the goods ready. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 cup leeks (sliced)
• 4 oz fresh mushrooms (sliced)
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• 3 3/4 cups of water
• 10.5 oz cans of condensed beef broth (3 cans)
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)

The Benefits of Wild Leeks Foraged on Your Own

We're going to sneak in here before we add in the directions. It's important to know what you're putting into your body and the benefits it contains (hopefully). In this case, the main ingredient is leeks (and mushrooms- but that's for another time).

The benefits of wild leeks include:

• Probiotics help balance the gut microbiome
• Manganese and vitamin K promote bone health
• Allicin and kaempferol, two compounds found in leeks, can help support normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Antioxidants scavenge free radicals which reduces cancer risk

Putting Everything Together for Leek Mushroom Soup

Yay! You have the ingredients all set out and ready to go. Follow the steps below that walk you through from start to finish. And, by the way, don't be afraid to add your own 'special' ingredient if you're feeling spicy.

Step 1:

Pull out a large pot and set the dial on medium high heat. Saute the mushrooms and leeks in the margarine & olive oil until they're tender.

Step 2:

Add the sherry and pour out half of the liquid that remains.

Step 3:

Add the beef broth, water, and pepper to the pot. Bring this to a boil and cook until the pasta is tender.

Step 4:

That's it! You're done!

A Quick, Easy Recipe for Leek Soup

That's literally all there is to it. It's super easy to make, tastes delicious, and to top it off, it's super healthy.

For further reading, we recommend:

Functional Perspective of Leeks: Active Components, Health Benefits and Action Mechanisms - PMC

Chemical constituents and medicinal properties of Allium species