Recipe for Leek soup! (and we have a little houseguest!)

Since i have had so many people asking for the recipes i posted the other day i thought while i was typing them all out i would share them one by one on here too :)

Todays is the Leek & Potato cream soup.....this makes a huge pan (enough for at least 8/10)....

Dice 8 large potatoes, 2 medium onions and 8 leeks (wash leeks well in cold water) and add them all to the pan with a knob of butter. Season and mix all the veg so that it has a light coating of the melted butter and sweat with the lid on for approx 10 minutes.
Pour enough boiling water to cover the vegetables and add 3 chicken stock cubes - i find it easier to do it this way than try to guage how much water you need when making up the stock beforehand.Season and let it gently boil for approx 30 mins or until the potatoes break easily when pushed against the side of the pan with the back of a wooden spoon.Take the pan off the heat. Using a hand blender* plunge and mash most of the veg, leaving a few lumps depending how smooth you like your soup to be. *(one of those plunger types are best but i have used the food processor technique too - just be careful transfering it from the pan to the processor - its very hot!)Ladle into bowls and decorate with a swirl of single cream, season to taste :)Enjoy xxx

Now onto something altogether more mischevious.....you know that little elf that was coming to stay!? Well, he arrived on Monday when the boys came home from school, he was hanging on the front door with a scroll (wax sealed and snowflake stamped dont you know!!) explaining how he was getting in trouble at the North Pole and Santa needed us to keep an eye on him.The first night was uneventful as Jake slept holding him so tightly there was no way Batty Mistletoe could get into trouble but this morning we came downstairs to find him swinging from the lights!! eek!! (this was at 4.30 when Ethan was poorly so at least it made him smile!)We left him there for Jake to see and when he got up he came running downstairs and giggled, apparently Batty had eaten the chocolate out of his advent calender too - honest though im sure he didnt, i think its just fallen down inside the box - either that or there really is a little mischief maker about!! ;)