Show the cold weather WHO’S BOSS and enjoy a bowl of Cream Of Wild Mushroom Soup!
I’ve been a lover of mushroom soup since I was a little girl. I have fond memories of my babysitter Margret warming me up Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup after play school. It was one of those things I would never get sick of, no matter how many times I had it for lunch. There was always something so satisfying about it to me. Even now; there still is.
‘GROW YOUR OWN’ mushroom kits at the San Francisco Ferry Building
This would of been such a cool idea for a school science project. Teachers take note!
Even after I had grown up and entered into elementary school, it was still my trusty go-to for lunch. I refused to bring sandwiches like the rest of the kids. I had this phobia of soggy bread and on the few occasions I packed a sandwich, it always found its way to the garbage can. After a tough game of calling my bluff, my mum Cynthia finally conceded. She realized that I wasn’t playing; I would rather starve than eat soggy sandwiches. This was war.
Back in the day I would bring this massive stainless steal thermos with me to school every.single.day. Do kids still do that? Or am I aging myself beyond belief? Whatever the case, it was genius! I brought soup with me everyday to school, often times Cream of Mushroom and it would always be steaming hot, even by lunchtime.
I grew up in Nova Scotia on the East Coast of Canada. If you’re not familiar with East Coast winters, they’re really reaaaally cold . It’s a lovely place with it untouched beauty and the people are so kind and down to earth. Just make sure to do yourself a favor and visit in the summertime!
As a child and then teenager, one of my favorite ways to warm up was over a bowl of cream of mushroom soup. Nowadays it’s like nostalgia in a bowl. This is a grown up version of one of my all time favorite soups, I think the childhood me would be proud of :)
You can use a combination of whatever mushrooms you have available. I like the texture combination of Shiitake, portobello and crimini mushrooms.
This afternoon I’m getting cozy with a large cup of Cream Of Mushroom Soup! Talk about nostalgic!
- 5 oz fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 5 oz fresh portobello mushrooms
- 5 oz fresh crimini or porcini mushrooms
- 1 tbsp good olive oil
- 1 stick and 1 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme & 1 tbsp minced thyme
- 2 cups leeks, chopped(white & light green parts only)
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup half & half
- ½ cup flat leaf parsley, minced
- Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
- CLEAN mushrooms by wiping them with a paper towel. It’s important not to wash the mushrooms.
- In preparation of the Mushroom Stock separate the stems from the caps and slice the caps into ¼′ slices. Set aside. Discard any unwanted parts and coarsely chop the mushroom stems. Set aside.
- Heat Olive Oil and 1 tbsp of the butter in large pot. Add the chopped carrot, onion, mushroom stems, sprig(s) of thyme, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper and cook over medium/low heat for 10-15 minutes, until the veggies are tender. Add 6 cups water and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid. You should have approx. 4½ cups Mushroom Stock, if not add some water
- In a large pot heat the remaining butter and add the leeks. Cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes until leeks start to brown. Add sliced mushrooms caps and sautee for 10 minutes, or until they are brown and tender. Add the flour and cook 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the mushroom stock, minced thyme leaves, 1½ tsp, 1 tsp pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add cream, half & half, parsley, salt and pepper to taste, heat thoroughly but do not boil. Serve hot!
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