My Friend Monique's Amazing Potato and Leek Soup

5-6 large russet potatoes (or 10-12 small/medium)
2-3 leeks
water
salt
white pepper
Tofutti sour cream (blue tub brand which is not hydrogenated)

Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch pieces. Place potatoes into a soup pot and barely cover with water (my friend Monique never writes this recipe down and when she recites it verbally to friends, she always cautions, "don't put too much water in the pot!"); so don't put too much water in the pot!

Slice the roots off the leeks and discard any ragged or coarse outer leaves. Also trim the darkest green part off each stalk as you'll only use the tender light green and white portion of the vegetable for this recipe! Slice the leeks down the center and then slice into 1/4 inch pieces. Place in a bowl of cold water and bounce the leeks to remove the dirt (the dirt and grit will sink to the bottom). Repeat as necessary to ensure the leeks are clean! Place them in the pot with the potatoes, and add a little water if needed.

Add salt and pepper to taste, and bring soup to a simmer over medium heat; cook 20-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. When the potatoes pierce easily with a fork, use a hand-held potato masher to lightly mash everything into a creamy soup! Adjust seasoning if needed.

Place hot soup immediately in bowls and serve with a large dollop of Tofutti sour cream!

Serves 4-6 as a main course!

Note: Monique always makes this soup with regular sour cream; she will generally stir a whole, small container of sour cream right into the soup before serving. Although not vegan, this is a most excellent variation! If you are having guests and dairy is not a problem, this version makes an elegant first course.