Cream of Celery Soup

I made this recipe because by accident I had
put a whole bunch of celery in the freezer.
It was either make a soup or give it to the chickens.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 lbs celery ribs, sliced
2 large onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons flour
6 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3-4 dashes hot sauce; optional
salt to taste
pepper to taste
celery leaves (for garnish)

Directions:
In a large sauce pan, melt butter,
add celery, onions, and garlic.
Cook over medium low heat until soft.
Add flour and cook 1-2 minutes over low heat.
Add chicken broth and bay leaf, bring to a boil
reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
Remove bay leaf, puree in a blender or processor.
Add cream, lemon juice, hot sauce, salt and pepper.
Reheat and simmer 5 minutes.
Garnish with celery leaves.