A recipe for the day

After a few request for some veggie recipes I am going to try and post one every other day or so. So for starters here's one for starters. Let me know if you try it out, and how it went, or if you've suggestions on improvements etc etc etc

Leek and Potato Soup

Ingredients:
2 leeks washed and cleaned
2 large potatoes
2 tablespoons of butter
a glug of olive oil 
1 veggie stock cube
1 bay leaf
1 clove of garlic (crushed) or garlic salt (optional)
1 pint water (approx)
splosh of milk or cream
Salt and pepper


Directions:

1.  Having washed the leeks slice them lengthwise into 4 then chop into smaller pieces across the width.
2. Wash the potatoes and chop into small (no large than 1cm) rough diced- I don't peel them (you can if you prefer)
3. Put a tablespoon of butter and glug of olive oil into a saucepan. Heat and allow the butter to melt.
4. When the butter has melted add the leeks and stir until they are softened.
5. Add the potatoes, stir in and cook for a few minutes only.
6. Add the garlic if using, and the stock cube (crumbled). Stir again.
7. Add the water and leave to boil for about 8-10 minutes.
8. When the potato is soft you can crush it against the die of the pan to break up the cubes.
9. Remove the Bay leaf and add salt and pepper to taste (I don't add salt I find the stock cubes usually have plenty already, but I do like a lot of pepper)
10. At this point you can liquidise the mixture,or leave as a chunky soup (I prefer chunky)
11. If leaving the soup chunky crush more of the potato against the sides of the pan (This thickens the soup).
12. Whilst doing this (or as you liquidise) add a small glug of milk and the other tablespoon of butter, adjusting the seasoning to your taste.

You can serve this piping hot or chilled.