Russian Wild Mushroom Soup With Farro - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 ounces dried wild mushrooms
2 ounces butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 lb mixed fresh mushrooms, peeled and sliced
4 ounces cracked farro (see above)
6 cups chicken stock
1 large potato, peeled and cut into dice
fresh bouquet garni
fresh dill leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 lemon, juice of, only
sour cream, to serve

Preparation

Soak the dried mushrooms in enough boiling water to cover them for about 1 hour. Drain, reserving the soaking liquid, and chop coarsely.
Melt the butter in a large heavy-based saucepan, add the onion, celery and fresh mushrooms and fry gently for about 15 minutes.
Add the farro, the dried mushrooms, plus their soaking liquid, and the stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the potato and bouquet garni and simmer until the farro is cooked and the vegetables are tender - about another 20 minutes. Stir in the dill and lemon juice, then check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
Serve hot, with spoonfuls of soured cream on top.