Ingredients;
600 g mixed mushrooms
olive oil
1 onion, peeled and finely sliced
2 sticks celery, trimmed and finely sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
a few sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked and chopped, stalks finely chopped
a few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked
1.5 litres organic chicken or vegetable stock
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
75 ml single cream
4-6 slices ciabatta bread
Method;
Peel off any tough outer skins of the mushroom caps and throw them away, then slice the mushrooms finely. Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat and pour in a splash of olive oil. Add the onion, celery, garlic, parsley stalks, thyme leaves and mushrooms, place a lid on top and sweat gently until softened.
Spoon 4 tablespoons of mushrooms out of the pan and put to one side. Pour the stock into the pan and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then whiz with a hand-held blender until smooth. Pour in the cream, bring just back to the boil, then turn off the heat.
Toast the slices of ciabatta in a hot griddle pan, then top with most of the reserved mushrooms and drizzle with olive oil. Spoon the soup into deep, individual bowls, garnish with the chopped parsley and remaining mushrooms, and serve with the ciabatta crostini.
