Leek and Potato Soup

You Will Need:

a knob of unsalted butter
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 leeks, washed and sliced
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
1 bay leaf
few fresh thyme leaves
350ml/12fl oz vegetable stock
a few splashes of creme fraiche (see how it tastes-you may like more or less)

Put on top to serve (if you like):

olive oil, to drizzle
spoonful of creme fraiche and cracked black pepper

How to make it:
1. Gently melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the potato for 2-3 minutes.
2. Stir in the leek, garlic, bay leaf and thyme leaves and heat for a further 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes.
4. Stir in the cream and heat for a further minute.
5. Transfer half of the mixture to a food blender and blend until smooth.
6. Return to the pan with the chunky half and warm through. This will give a lovely wholesome soup.
7. Ladle the soup into a serving bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
8. Serve with a spoonful of creme fraiche.

(roughly serves 4 )

Sausage & Bean Stew

This is a yummy recipe for a cold day. Easy to make and easy on the pennies.

You will need:

450g (roughly) of good quality Pork Sausages
2 x 410g ( 14oz ) tins of Barlotti  Beans, drained
3 large Carrots, cut into cubes
2 sticks of Celery, chopped
1 large Onion, chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed
a few leaves of sage, chopped
2 Bay Leaves 
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 heaped tablespoon of Tomato puree
570ml (1 pint ) of Stock
1 tablespoon of chopped parsley

(roughly serves 4)

How to make it:

1. fry the chopped onion gently

2. add the carrots and celery and fry gently for 1-2 minutes

3. now add the garlic and sage  

4. put in the beans, stock and  bay leaves

5. season to taste

6. bring to the boil and let it simmer gently for 35 minutes

7. fry the pork sausages in a frying pan, turning them, until cooked

8. add the sausages  to the stew and simmer for another 
10- 15 minutes

9. sprinkle on the parsley and serve with mashed potatoes or rice.

Oo Lovely and warming! Enjoy!

Scary Pumpkin Soup!    
Ingredients

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