Cream of Mushroom Soup

Again,  I’m sorry, I’m such a bad hostess. I chose this recipe and then couldn’t even get it in by the deadline of last Thursday. My deepest apologies to Ina and all of the Barefoot Bloggers. However, I am SO glad that I made the time to whip this up. This soup is absolutely fabulous! It did take a little bit of time from start to finish (probably about 2 hours), but it was well worth it. This soup is so full of flavor and so much better than any canned soup you might buy.

A big part of the robust flavor is making a mushroom stock  to use in the soup versus using a pre-made beef or chicken broth. I have never made a stock before, so this was a successful first for me! I took some liberties with this recipe to match our personal tastes and what I had available. I honestly can’t wait to make this again, it’s one of the best soups I have ever made. I hope you all give it a try!

Below is a list of the modifications I made to this recipe:

• I used equal parts white button and cremini mushrooms (so technically not a completely “wild” soup)
• I substituted shallots for leeks
• I only used a couple tablespoons of butter to saute the shallots instead of the stick called for
• In place of white wine I used chicken broth mixed with 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• I omitted the parsley

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup
(Source: Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa at Home p48 and on The Food Network)

5 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms
5 ounces fresh portobello mushrooms
5 ounces fresh cremini (or porcini) mushrooms
1 tablespoon good olive oil
1/4 pound (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 carrot, chopped
1 sprig fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves, divided
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

Clean the mushrooms by wiping them with a dry paper towel. Don’t wash them! Separate the stems, trim off any bad parts, and coarsely chop the stems. Slice the mushroom caps 1/4-inch thick and, if there are big, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

To make the stock, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large pot. Add the chopped mushroom stems, the onion, carrot, the sprig of thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add 6 cups water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid. You should have about 4 1/2 cups of stock. If not, add some water.

Meanwhile, in another large pot, heat the remaining 1/4 pound of butter and add the leeks. Cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the leeks begin to brown. Add the sliced mushroom caps and cook for 10 minutes, or until they are browned and tender. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the mushroom stock, minced thyme leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the half-and-half, cream, and parsley, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and heat through but do not boil. Serve hot.

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