Instructions

  1. Soak dried mushrooms in 1 cup hot water till softened.
  2. Remove mushrooms and drain liquid through cheesecloth and saving liquid and discarding sandy bits.
  3. Chop mushrooms set aside.
  4. In the drained hot liquid and crushed pinch of saffron.
  5. Set aside.
  6. In a large pot over medium heat melt 2 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons butter.
  7. Saute onions, garlic and all the mushrooms season with thyme, salt and pepper about 5 minutes. Optional carrot and celery may be added along with onions.
  8. Add sherry reduce to half.
  9. Add chicken stock and liquid reserved from mushrooms simmer 20 minutes.
  10. In a separate pot melt 4 tablespoons butter then add flour to make a thick paste whisk in 1 pint of cream.
  11. Then whisk into soup.
  12. Using a hand blender puree the soup to a nice consistency.
  13. Let simmer 5 more minutes stirring so not to burn.
  14. Serve with soup topped with a little extra sherry.