Medium slice apple smoked bacon strips
Using a thick bottom sauté pan over medium heat, add bacon and slow cook until crisp
Remove from pan, place on paper towel to collect bacon fat, set aside
Using a thick bottom sauce pot, over medium heat add butter and melt, add leeks (white part only), onion& garlic, reduce heat to low, cover and for 5 - 7 minutes
Add potato continue to slow cook for 5 minutes
Add vegetable broth, bring to simmer, reduce heat cover and cook slowly until potatoes are soft
Add green portion of leek, bring to simmer, cook for 1 minute until leeks are wilted
Remove from heat, place soup in blender (recommend small batches) and blend at low speed thoroughly, *be very careful at this stage soup is very hot.
Once blended place back in sauce pot and add heavy cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to simmer
Ladle soup into serving bowls, garnish w/ crisp bacon and snipped chives