Country Mushroom Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 -2 bay leaf
2/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1 lb sliced fresh mushrooms
2/3 cup half-and-half cream or 2/3 cup milk

Preparation

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth.
Gradually stir in broth 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.