Super Simple Leek and Potato Soup

Hello! and welcome back to me...

Today it's raining in London (no surprise) so there's nothing better than a yummy hot soup to put a smile on your dial :)

I love to make soup because it's cheap, quick, good for you and you pretty much can't get it wrong!

So to make a Super Simple Leek and Potato Soup for 4 you need:

2 medium leeks
2-3 medium potatoes
olive oil
1 litre good quality stock (I recently discovered Knorr/Continental stockpots - like little tubs of stock jelly! Very authentic.)
pepper
bread to serve - sour dough is a great match for soup

To make, simply chop of the dark green leafy part off the leek and discard. Now slice the light green part in half lengthways and carefully wash it.

Slice the two halves as thinly as you can (5mm would be ideal) and place in a large saucepan with a good glug of olive oil.

Wash your potatoes, slice into 1cm cubes (with the peel on) and add to the pan. Put the kettle on for the stock.

Put the pan over a low - medium heat to slowly soften the leeks, around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the leeks are soft and sweet add your stock and pepper (no salt - as the stock is salty enough) and turn down to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are very soft.

Now blend until smooth and serve with a sprinkle of grated cheese, a twist of freshly ground black pepper and some buttered toast... Cosy!

Cheat's Carbonara - No Cream, Low Fat

I created this recipe on a day when dinner didn't work out and I had to make something from the odds and ends I had. I found some bacon in the freezer and spaghetti in the cupboard, and we always have eggs so I thought "I'll make carbonara!" then remembered you need cream, which I never have unless we have guests :( I was a little bit stuck for ideas so I decided to just 'fake' a carbonara, and this is how.

Serves 2

You need:
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp plain flour
2 cups skim milk
1 cup cheese (this is cheat's carbonara so use what you have, Parmesan is best though)
1/2 cup chopped bacon pieces/diced bacon
250g spaghetti (or whatever pasta you have)

• Put a saucepan of water on to boil with a pinch of salt
• Once your water is boiling add your pasta
• Heat your butter in a small saucepan over a medium heat.
• When the butter is completely melted, add your flour and stir until a paste forms.
• Now slowly add your milk, a bit at a time, whisking well before adding the next part.
• Once you have added all your milk, stir in your cup of cheese. The sauce should now be nice and thick (add more milk if it is too thick).
• In a small frying pan, fry up your bacon pieces until they are crispy and stir into the cheese sauce.
• When your pasta is soft, drain it and return it to the pan. Pour over the cheese and bacon sauce and serve!

Serve with freshly ground black pepper and grated cheese.

What's your dinner back up plan?