Porcini mushroom soup

Porcini mushroom soup
This hearty Italian country soup is full of deep, earthy goodness.

1oz (30g) dried porcini mushrooms
11⁄3 cups boiling water
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 onions, finely chopped
2 celery stalks with leaves, finely chopped
4oz (115g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tsp chopped rosemary
1 tsp chopped thyme
3 cups vegetable stock
one 14.5oz (411g) can chopped tomatoes, drained
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups diced day-old crusty bread
method
Combine the dried porcini and boiling water in a small bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes. Drain
through a fine sieve, reserving the soaking liquid. Coarsely chop the soaked mushrooms. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the celery and cook 5 minutes more, until the celery is tender. Stir
in the mushrooms, garlic, rosemary, and thyme and cook until the mushrooms soften, about
5 minutes more. Add the stock, tomatoes, and the soaked mushrooms and their liquid. Bring to a boil over high
heat. Return the heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in the bread. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for10 minutes. Stir well so the bread can break up and thicken the soup. Spoon into deep bowls, drizzle each serving with olive oil, and serve hot.
good wIth Bowls of spiced olives, and crusty bread.
Prepare ahead The soup can be made through step 3, then cooled, covered, and
refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat, then add the bread.