Homemade Mushroom Soup

"Nice served with  toasted bread..."
INGREDIENTS                          500g / 1lb 1oz mushrooms 90g / 3oz butter 2 medium onions, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 tablespoons plain flour 1 litre / 1.8 pints hot chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarians) 1 bay leaf ½ cup / 4 tablespoons cream (i don't use...) Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste     RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1 Heat up the butter in a medium pan and cook the garlic and onions until they're soft but not browned. This should take five to six minutes. STEP 2 The next step is to add the mushrooms, and cook over a high heat for 3 minutes whilst stirring constantly. STEP 3 Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms, mix well to combine. Stir in the flour and mix well, making sure all the mushrooms are well coated. STEP 4 Pour in the hot chicken stock and bring to the boil. Add the bay leaf and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and leave the soup to cool for a few minutes. STEP 5 Place the soup in a food processor or if you have a hand blender this is much easier to use. Blend well till smooth, it may be necessary to do this in two batches. STEP 6 Rinse the saucepan and return to soup, season with salt and pepper and reheat until boiling. Stir in the cream.....   (Adapted recipe from sue mason)