MUSHROOM SOUP COUNTRY

By gaster16

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 to 2 bay leaves
• 2/3 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 4-5 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (about 1 pound)
• 2/3 cup half and half cream or milk

Preparation

Step 1

In a two quart saucepan, melt butter, stir in flour, until smooth. Gradually stir in flour until smooth. Add salt, pepper and bay leaves. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile in another saucepan, saute the celery and onion in oil until tender. Add mushrooms, cook and stir until tender. Add to broth mixture, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cream, heat through. Discard bay leaves.