Wild mushroom soup
This is also from Susan Mendelson's "Mama Now Cooks Like This," which is becoming one of my favorite cookbooks. Everything I make from it is really good.
The first time we made this, I followed the recipe exactly as written, and it was fantastic. Last night, I forgot a step (Ernie had the sink taken apart and I was maneuvering around him), and I improvised and it still ended up being really good. I think you should follow the recipe, though.
6 c. mixed wild mushrooms (portobello, shiitake, oyster -- I also add some button mushrooms here), sliced
3 shallots, finely chopped (I added 2 cloves of garlic, also finely chopped)
2 Tbsp. butter (last night, I used olive oil. both seemed to work just fine)
8 Tbsp. flour
6 c. vegetable or chicken stock (we usually use chicken)
1 c. half and half
salt and pepper
cayenne
chives, freshly chopped
Mix mushrooms and shallots/garlic, and divide into 4 batches.
In a large pot with a wide bottom, sauté one batch of the mushrooms and shallots in 1/2 Tbsp. butter over high heat. When the mushrooms start to color, add another 1/2 Tbsp. butter and the second batch of mushrooms and shallots/garlic. Repeat two more times.
Remove 1 c. of the cooked mushrooms and shallots/garlic from the pot and set aside.
Add flour to the pot of remaining mushrooms; cook and stir over low heat until all the flour is absorbed.
Slow whisk in stock and bring to just a simmer.
Add half and half and return to a simmer. Puree with hand mixer, blender or food processor.
Season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne. Stir in remaining mushrooms.
Garnish with chopped chives.
The first time we made this, I followed the recipe exactly as written, and it was fantastic. Last night, I forgot a step (Ernie had the sink taken apart and I was maneuvering around him), and I improvised and it still ended up being really good. I think you should follow the recipe, though.
6 c. mixed wild mushrooms (portobello, shiitake, oyster -- I also add some button mushrooms here), sliced
3 shallots, finely chopped (I added 2 cloves of garlic, also finely chopped)
2 Tbsp. butter (last night, I used olive oil. both seemed to work just fine)
8 Tbsp. flour
6 c. vegetable or chicken stock (we usually use chicken)
1 c. half and half
salt and pepper
cayenne
chives, freshly chopped
Mix mushrooms and shallots/garlic, and divide into 4 batches.
In a large pot with a wide bottom, sauté one batch of the mushrooms and shallots in 1/2 Tbsp. butter over high heat. When the mushrooms start to color, add another 1/2 Tbsp. butter and the second batch of mushrooms and shallots/garlic. Repeat two more times.
Remove 1 c. of the cooked mushrooms and shallots/garlic from the pot and set aside.
Add flour to the pot of remaining mushrooms; cook and stir over low heat until all the flour is absorbed.
Slow whisk in stock and bring to just a simmer.
Add half and half and return to a simmer. Puree with hand mixer, blender or food processor.
Season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne. Stir in remaining mushrooms.
Garnish with chopped chives.
Comments
Susan Mendelson
I haven't made those cookies yet, but they are on my list to try, so I'll be sure to add the baking soda. Thanks!