Easy Creamy Vegan Potato Leek Soup

Name: Easy Creamy Vegan Potato Leek Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large leeks (white and light green parts chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed); ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 ½ pounds potatoes (scrubbed and diced (see notes)); 6 cups vegetable broth; ¼ cup nutritional yeast; 2 sprigs thyme (or 1 teaspoon dry); 1 medium bay leaf; ¼ cup chives (chopped); Salt and black pepper to taste