Magical Mushroom Mystique

I absolutely love mushrooms, and think that one of the simplest, most luxurious food that you can have is creamy mushroom soup! Traditionally, as with most other foods, cooking a great mushroom soup requires time, patience, and multiple steps. However, there are times when the luxury of time or patience cannot be afforded, as with a small dinner party on a workday evening.

At times like those, it is necessary to take shortcuts, while still producing the best possible result that I would not be ashamed to serve on the table. Although I had to work quickly, it paid off, and we had mushroom soup on the table in 30 minutes!




Here's the recipe:

Creamy Mushroom Soup

1 lb Fresh Mushrooms, I like to use Crimini & Shitake for best flavor
2 ea Garlic Cloves, Smashed
2 sprigs Thyme
1/4 cup White Wine
2 cups Chicken Stock, or Veggie
2 cups Half & Half
3 Tbs Butter

Salt & pepper to taste

In a heavy saucepan, melt one tbs of butter
Add 1/3 of the mushrooms, one garlic clove, and 1 sprig thyme
Saute mushrooms until a deep brown, and cooked through
Repeat with the remaining 2 batches of mushrooms
Deglaze the pan with the white wine - that means addinfg the liquid and scraping up the brown bits over heat
Bring the pan juices, stock and mushrooms to a boil
Simmer for about 10 minutes
Puree the mushroom soup and add the half & half
Thin with water to desired consistency, then season with salt & pepper