Description
Ina Garten’s classic mushroom soup blends earthy wild mushrooms with rich cream and herbs for a luxurious starter. Comforting warmth meets sophisticated flavor, inviting you to savor each velvety spoonful of this elegant French-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 400 g / 14 oz white mushrooms, chopped
- 200 g / 7 oz Swiss Brown/Cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 3 ¼ cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 30 g / 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Finishing and Garnish Ingredients:
- ¾ cup crème fraiche or full-fat cream
- Croutons
- Bread for dunking
- Cream or extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Fresh parsley, chervil (optional), or thyme leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the mushrooms by quartering them and then dicing into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and texture.
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Introduce minced garlic and finely chopped onions, sautéing for approximately 3 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant, without allowing them to brown.
- Incorporate the diced mushrooms into the pot, stirring intermittently for about 10 minutes. The dense arrangement will prevent significant browning, which is acceptable for this preparation.
- Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Elevate the heat to create a rolling boil, then reduce to medium and allow the soup to simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, developing deep flavors.
- Gently fold in heavy cream (or crème fraiche), continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld the ingredients and create a rich, velvety consistency.
- Carefully transfer the soup to a blender, working in batches if necessary. Remove the center insert from the blender lid and cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel to prevent potential splattering. Puree until achieving a completely smooth and silky texture.
- Return the blended soup to the pot, allowing it to simmer for 1-2 minutes until the surface becomes calm and the soup reaches an optimal serving temperature.
- Elegantly plate the soup into individual bowls. Enhance the presentation by drizzling with extra virgin olive oil or a swirl of cream. Garnish with crisp croutons and freshly chopped parsley or delicate chervil. Serve alongside crusty bread for an indulgent dipping experience.
Notes
- Precision matters when chopping mushrooms, ensuring uniform pieces cook evenly and create a harmonious texture throughout the soup.
- Leaving the pot uncovered during simmering allows moisture to evaporate, intensifying the rich, deep flavors of your ingredients.
- Tackle blending strategically by processing small amounts at a time, preventing messy kitchen accidents and guaranteeing a silky-smooth result.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more seamlessly, so let vegetables rest for a few minutes before processing.
- Opt for a high-powered blender to transform your soup into an ultra-creamy masterpiece with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg