Sherry and Brie Soup

Ingredients

• 12 ounces brie cheese - rind removed room temperature
• 0.1 cup butter 
• 0.3 cup carrots julienned
• 0.3 cup celery julienned
• 6 cups chicken stock see 
• 0.3 cup cooking sherry dry
• 0.5 cup flour all-purpose
• 0.1 cup mushrooms fresh sliced
• 0.3 cup heavy cream 
• 8 servings salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan
• sieve

Directions

1. Melt butter or margarine in 3-quart saucepan over low heat.
2. Add flour and mix well, cooking until it just starts to turn golden.
3. Add stock and whip vigorously, bring to boil and reduce to simmer. Skim foam off top, and continue to simmer until reduced to 2/3 its original quantity and the sauce is the consistency of heavy cream.
4. Strain through fine sieve. Return sauce to pan, and cook over low heat.
5. Add brie cheese, cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has melted.
6. Add sherry and vegetables and simmer lightly until the vegetables are al dente.
7. Heat heavy cream over low heat and add to soup. Season soup with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with fresh chives or scallion.