Dried Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

1/2 ounce dried mushrooms
2 1/2 cups water
1 onion very finely chopped
a little fat or butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/4 cup beef stock
salt and pepper
1 1/4 cup soured cream
2 tablespoons snipped chives

Instructions

Place mushrooms and water in saucepan and heat gently until simmering. Cover and simmer for 5 mins. Lift out the mushrooms, press excess liquid from them and chop finely. Strain the cooking liquor through muslin and reserve. Cook the onion in the fat over low heat for 10 mins until soft but not browned. Stir in the flour, then slowly add the stock, stiring all the time. Pour in the reserved mushroom liquor, add the mushrooms and stir well. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Taste and season the soup, then stir in the soured cream and heat gently for a few mins. without boiling. serve sprinkled with chives.