Welsh wonders

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes
Serves 2 as a snack

Ingredients:
100g / 3 1/2 oz grated Cheddar
Knob of butter, softened
1 tsp French mustard
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 tbsp beer or ale
2 slices bread

Preheat the grill. Mix the cheese, butter, mustard, cayenne and beer together. Toast one side of the bread slices. Spread the un-toasted side with the cheese mixture, making sure all the edges and corners are covered. Grill until melted, golden-brown and bubbling. Serve immediately.

Leek and Potato Soup
A classic soup with many options. Can be topped with a swirl of cream, a bit of grated cheese, crumbled crispy bacon or chopped parsley.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
750g / 1 lb 10 oz potatoes
750g / 1 lb 10 oz leeks (untrimmed weight)
25g / 1 oz butter
1 litre / 1 3/4 pints chicken stock, vegetable stock or water
Salt and pepper
Small bunch of flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Peel the potatoes, cut into chunks and boil until just cooked. Drain and allow to steam. Meanwhile trim the tough ends from the leeks, cut in half lengthways, wash out any grit and slice thinly. Heat the butter and when sizzling, fry the leeks for about 10 minutes until soft but not coloured. Add the potatoes and stock or water and bring to the boil. Season with salt and pepper, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the parsley. Use a hand blender or food processor to blend the soup briefly - it should still have some texture. Taste again for seasoning and serve hot.