Simply Souperlicious – Creamy Fennel and Spinach Soup

Ingredients

• 4 fennel bulbs, chopped
• 1 bunch of spinach chopped (optional)
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
• 5 small mushrooms white mushrooms (raw) — any type is fine
• 2 medium carrots (raw) peeled
• 1 red onion
• 1 leek
• 1 shallot (raw), chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• Chopped chives
• Spring of parsley chopped
• 5 cup(s) chicken stock with 1 chicken bouillon cube (vegetable stock)
• 2 slices of bacon (raw)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Pinch salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup, 2 % milk (soy, almond, rice or skim as alternatives work fine)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon, crème fraîche or fresh cream
• 1 squeeze lemon