Tasty Mushroom Soup

Makes 2 litres

• 600g (1lb 5oz) mixed white and portabello mushrooms
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1.5 litre (2¾ pint) stock (vegetable or chicken)
• Few sprigs of fresh thyme
• Salt and black pepper
• 100ml (3½ fl oz) single cream
• Fresh thyme to garnish

Roughly chop the mushrooms and place into a large saucepan, add the onion, garlic cloves, stock and thyme. Season to taste. Bring to the boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Cover the pan.

2, 3, 4 and 5 oven AGA: Transfer the pan to the simmering oven for 30 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and discard the thyme sprigs. Place the soup into a liquidiser, or use a hand held blender and whizz until you get the consistency you like. Return the soup to the pan and stir in the cream, reheat but do not let it boil and check the seasoning.