1

To begin making the Garlic and Mushroom Soup Recipe, we will first clean, wash and chop the button mushrooms.

2

Finely chop the garlic and fresh thyme leaves. Set aside.

3

In a saucepan heat 2 tablespoon olive oil; add in chopped garlic and thyme, saute for about a minute until you get the flavors of the garlic. Dont over brown the garlic.

4

Add chopped leek and saute for another 2 - 3 minutes until leeks turn tender and translucent.

5

Finally add in the chopped mushroom and start sauteeing over medium high heat until the mushrooms become soft and cooked. This process takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Saute the mushrooms until most of the moisture is evaporated.

6

Add in the salt and pepper to taste and add hot vegetable stock to the above mushrooms garlic, leek mixture. Once the mixture cools a bit, blend using a blender or a hand mixer until you get a smooth soup like consistency.

7

Give the Garlic and Mushroom Soup a quick boil just before you are ready to serve. Check the salt and pepper levels and adjust to suit your taste.

Method to make the Grilled Toast Topped with Mushrooms

1

Meanwhile grill toast in the oven or toaster. Once grilled cut slices into triangles.

2

For the topping, heat olive oil in a frying pan. Saute the chopped onion until tender and lightly browned. Add in the chopped tomato, mushroom, salt and pepper. Mix well and stir fry for a couple of minutes on high heat just so all of them get cooked just a bit.

3

Dont over cook them, as the tomatoes and the mushrooms will release a lot of water and you will have to cook a lot more to evaporate its liquids if that happens.

4

To serve the Garlic and Mushroom Soup, pour a ladle of soup in serving bowl and place the grilled toast topped with mushroom topping by the side.

5

Sprinkle chopped parsley over soup and toast, squeeze lemon juice on topping. Serve hot.If you like mascorpone cheese than a dollop of it can be added to the soup before serving, making it creamy and delicious

6

You can also serve the Garlic and Mushroom Soup along with grilled toast topped with sauteed Mushrooms, along with a bread like Muesli Pumpkin Bread Recipe or Roasted Apple, Onions and Cheese Focaccia Recipe that makes a perfect weeknight dinner.

Note: Exotic Mushrooms like Oyester, Shittake, Wild Mushroom, Porcini could also be used for this recipe. In India button mushrooms are more easily available so I have used them for this recipe.