Basque Leek Soup

Apparently, there were 5,000 entries, and I didn't win!

I just entered http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ kitchen mixer givaway. I think I recieved one of those for my wedding, but returned it! I've been entering all sorts of contests for giftcards and scrapbook supplies. . .mostly on Pioneer Woman and Becky Higgins/Lisa Bearnson's blogs. I would just really like some free stuff, what can I say? For the mixer you had to enter a favorite recipe, and since Lasagna is so boring, I had to go to my second best receipe, both stolen from Suzanne, my mom-in-law. Here is entry #406:

I'm married to a Basque guy, and this is his mom's recipe, from France. He says I make it better than she does, now! I purree it, so I can chop everything roughly and get it done quickly. My kids like it that way anyway, so they don't see the veggies. It's a beautiful, light orange, creamy soup, perfect for a cold day.

Basque Leek Soup

(Serves 8-10)

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1 leek (I cut off the top, but mother-in-law leaves it on!)

2 celery stalks

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

5 peeled carrots

6 peeled potatoes

Sautee onion & garlic in olive oil, add to broth in stock pot.

Roughly chop (because you'll purree later) leek, celery, carrots & potatoes.

Bring to a boil, cover and boil for about 30 min. (You can accidentally forget and boil for a few hours, since you'll purree, it doesn't matter)

Blend (in your blender) and liberally sprinkle the pepper!

ENJOY with a crusty french baquette.