Swede and Parsnip mash

I really fancied sausage and mash last night, but I didn't have any potatoes and this close to the end of the month I couldn't afford to buy any. What I did have in the fridge though was half a swede and some parsnips.

Ingredients (serves 1 greedy person)
1/2 a swede (200g approx)
1 parsnip
Knob of butter
Salt/pepper

* peel the veg and cut into even chunks
* bring a pan of water to the boil, and the veg and cook for around half an hour, or until soft
* drain, then put the veg back into the pan and return to the heat for 30 seconds or so to get rid of excess moisture
* add a knob of butter to the pan, with a pinch of salt and plenty of pepper
* mash the veg 
* eat!

I think I actually prefer this to potatoes.

Parsnip and Leek soup

Leek and Potato is a classic soup combo, but I don't think potato really adds anything flavour-wise. Parsnip, on the other hand, is lovely so since I had some in the fridge I thought this would make a good soup.

Ingredients
3 large parsnips
1 leek
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
85g pearl barley
1 vegetable stock cube

* peel and chop the veg
* heat a little oil in a large pan and fry the onion and leek for a couple of minutes
* Add the parsnip and barley, cover with water (a couple of pints) and add the stock cube plus any herbs etc
* simmer for 45 minutes or until the veg is cooked and the barley softened.