Rice and Leeks Cooked in the Asti Style

The origins of this dish go right back to the Middle Ages, to a time when the flourishing fields around Asti were mainly given over to the cultivation of garlic and leeks. Some elderly local peasants gave me this recipe, telling me that leeks purify the blood and improve the eyesight. Whether or not this is true, the soup is cleansing and refreshing to eat and can be very economical if you use up any odd bits of cheese you might have in the fridge. The soup has a very thick texture indeed a