Recipe: Shiitake Mushroom-Tomato Bisque (blender or food processor)

SHIITAKE MUSHROOM-TOMATO BISQUE

"What's a Bisque? The most elegant of soups, bisque is a rich, creamy concoction of cooked vegetables, seafood, or poultry pureed with cream. Bisque makes a great starter for a fancy dinner."

1⁄2 cup sliced leek or chopped onion (1 medium)
1⁄2 cup sliced celery (1 stalk)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 1⁄2 cups sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms* or other fresh mushrooms
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth or vegetable broth
1⁄2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1⁄2 teaspoon dried dillweed
1⁄8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Sauteed mushrooms (optional, for garnish)

In a 3-quart saucepan cook and stir leek, celery, and garlic in hot butter until tender. Add mushrooms; cook and stir about 5 minutes more or until mushrooms are tender. Stir in undrained tomatoes, broth, whipping cream, dillweed, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.

Let soup cool slightly. Transfer soup mixture, half at a time, to a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Or use an immersion blender. Return all of the soup mixture to saucepan; heat through.

To serve, ladle soup into bowls. If desired, top each serving with additional mushrooms.

*Note: If using shiitake mushrooms, remove and discard the tough stems before slicing.

Makes 4 side-dish servings
Adapted from source: Anyone Can Cook by Better Homes and Gardens