Credit Crisis Soup or Cream of Potato and Garlic

This is loosely based around a French soup I once did from Floyd. And on this cold morning it's dedicated to Zola whose epic novel Germinal lives on in my memory. This soup is very simple and tastes better than it sounds. Whatsmore it's very cost effective.

2 large potatoes

1 large onion

3 large cloves of garlic

1 litre of stock

Salt & pepper

Bay leaf

Egg yolk

chives

Finely slice the onion and cook gently for 10 minutes or until it's gone past the translucent stage. Add the chopped garlic, stir and then  wash, clean and chop up the potatoes into cubes (leave the skin - it's good). Add the potatoes a pinch of salt and pepper, the stock & a bay leaf.

 Simmer until the potatoes are soft. Remove the bay and liquidize until it's beautifully smooth.

Pour the hot soup into a bowl and immediately add an egg yolk to the centre; make sure the soup is hot. Garnish with chives and some drops of extra virgin olive oil. If you're feeling flush replace the egg with a blob of caviar!! Serves 4