Ingredients :

• 1 oz butter or margarine
• 1 tbsp finely chopped onion
• ½ oz plain flour
• ½ pint chicken stock
• 1 medium ripe avocado, chopped
• 1 -2 tsp lemon juice
• pinch of finely grated lemon rind
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ pint creamy milk

Garnish

• 4 tbsp cream
• Chopped fresh chives

Procedure :

1. Melt butter or margarine in a saucepan. Add the onion and fry until soft. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the stock and bring to a boil.
2. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the avocado with the lemon juice, rind, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 more minutes, then sieve or liquidize the soup.
3. Return to a clean saucepan and stir in the milk. Reheat without boiling.
4. Adjust the seasoning and pour into soup bowls.
5. Stir in the cream and sprinkle with chives.
6. Avocado soup can be served chilled. After liquidizing, add milk and cream and chill thoroughly.

Cooking time is about 15 minutes.