Recipe for Cream Of Onion Soup

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
2 stalks celery, fine chop
1 blade mace
1 salt & pepper to taste
2/3 cup milk
1 fried croutons (garnish)
3 cup onions, finely chopped
3 3/4 cup chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup flour
2/3 cup single or double cream
1 chopped fresh mixed herbs

Instructions

Fry onions and celery for 5 minutes, without browning, in melted butter. Add chicken stock, mace, bay leaf and seasoning. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 45 minutes or until tender. Remove bay leaf and mace blade. The soup can now be sieved or pureed if a smooth soup is desired. Blend flour with milk and whisk gradually into soup. Return to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Stir in cream and reheat before serving. Dip the hot fried croutons into finely chopped savory herbs and float them on top of soup.