Leek and Potato Soup

Name: Leek and Potato Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 tbsp (30g) butter; 2 garlic cloves (, large, finely minced); 3 leeks (, white and pale green parts only sliced thinly (about 2 cups) (Note 1)); 1 kg / 2lb potatoes (Sebago/Russet/Maris Piper) (, peeled a diced into 1"/2.5cm cubes (Note 2)); 1.5 litre / 1.5 qt chicken or vegetable stock (, low sodium (6 cups)); 3/4 cup (185 ml) cream (, heavy/thickened (sub milk)); 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 thick slices bread (, torn into crouton size pieces); 1 tbsp melted butter, or olive oil spray; Salt; Chives (, finely chopped); Extra cream (, for garnish)