Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup wild rice (or a blend of rice including wild
rice)
1 1/2 cups chicken, cooked and diced or shredded
1 cup milk or cream
1 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
salt and pepper to taste

directions:

1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium-high heat, add the mushrooms and cook
   until the mushrooms have released their liquids and the liquid has evaporated,
   about 10-15 minutes, before setting aside.
2. Melt the butter in the pan, add the onions, carrots and celery and cook until tender,
   about 8-10 minutes.
3. Mix in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
4. Add the broth, rice, chicken and mushrooms, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and
   simmer, covered, until the rice is tender, about 20-30 minutes.
5. Mix in the milk and cheese and cook until the cheese has melted, before seasoning
   with salt and pepper to taste.