I learned a little something

Leeks and fava beans...2 foods I've never actually seen in the raw before.  Want to know what I learned?
1. Leeks are full of dirt and must be sliced open and washed thoroughly!

 2. They are really pretty and when you slice them up they have this wonderful blend of colors:

 3. They make a great soup when you mix them with instant potatoes and about 2x the water called for + a little S&P, of course!

Then there are the fava beans.  They are ugly on the outside...

but cute on the inside.  

And they are kind of yummy too.
I only ate them plain, after I blanched them but I imagine they would be good in any kind of bean recipe you'd like to try them in.  Except maybe stews, I think if you cooked them a long time they'd just disintegrate.

 Did I pique your interest with the soup comment?  I'll share a little shortcut I have learned.
You can make any kind of potato soup with instant mashed potatoes.  Basically, just use twice the amount of liquid they call for and add whatever else you want!
I've done this with the sliced leeks (above) and it was the most elegant soup you could make.  
I've also made baked potato soup by adding cheese, chopped green onions, bacon and some sour cream (I know, dairy bomb but it was so good!).
Try it some time when you come home too pooped to cook...you could use chopped up ham (like lunch meat!) and any kind of cheese you have and have a really nice meal in about 5 minutes if you use hot water from the tap and nuke it.
Let me know how it goes.
Finally, I just had this picture of my freshly washed produce bowl and thought I'd share it.  Lovely, yes?
Have a great week!