Silky Leek and Red Wine Soup

• Four 1-inch-thick slices of peasant bread (4 ounces), crusts removed
• 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 1 garlic clove
• Pinch of saffron threads
• 3 medium leeks, thinly sliced crosswise (3 cups)
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon dry red wine
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet; brush with the oil.
3. Bake until crisp, 10 minutes.
4. Rub with the garlic and tear into 1-inch pieces.
5. In a saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil.
6. Add the saffron and all but 1/2 cup of the leeks.
7. Cook over moderate heat until tender, 4 minutes.
8. Add the 1/2 cup of red wine; reduce over high heat to 2 tablespoons.
9. Add the stock; simmer for 3 minutes.
10. Stir in the toasts and simmer 3 minutes.
11. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender.
12. Return the soup to the saucepan.
13. Stir in the cream and the remaining 1 tablespoon of red wine, season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
14. In a nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil.
15. Add the reserved leeks and cook over moderate heat until softened, 3 minutes.
16. Using a heatproof spatula, form the leeks into four 2-inch rounds.
17. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the cheese over each round.
18. Cook over moderate heat until melted, about 3 minutes.
19. Transfer the rounds to a plate and let cool until crisp.
20. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the leek crisps and serve.

bread, extravirgin olive oil, garlic, threads, leeks, red wine, chicken stock, heavy cream, salt, freshly grated parmigianoreggiano cheese

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/silky-leek-and-red-wine-soup (may not work)