Cream of Mushroom Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Serves: 6
There’s a fungus among us. We all loved that cliché as kids. But, truly, if you love these little edible toadstools, here’s a delicious recipe for a warm cup of creamy mushroom soup. There are several great ways to serve this – as is, as a first course, or alongside a hot, gooey, crispy grilled cheese. Can you tell I’d prefer the latter?
This takes a little prep time if you purchase your mushrooms whole. That’s how I prefer, but I enjoy all the prep work when it comes to cooking. (I don’t like the prep work of having to iron clothes in order to wear them. But, I digress.)
To wash, or not to wash. That is the question. You’ll find as many conflicting theories about how to clean mushrooms as there are kinds of cereal on the shelf. (I guess I am feeling a little punchy today.) But, they all do come to this agreement. Don’t allow any more water than you have to get them cleaned. There are “mushroom brushes” you can purchase that are to help you from using any water all. You can use a paper towel just as well to wipe them, just do it gently. A quick rinse under a gentle flow from your faucet will be okay, then pat them off. Just don’t saturate them. Got it?
Now, to cook! Feel free to change up your mushrooms. I listed basic ones in the ingredients because these were the best I could get my hands on. Use what you like. I have a friend that just doesn’t like mushrooms, but I am determined one day to win her over.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Feel free to change up your mushrooms. I listed common mushrooms in the ingredients because these were the best I could get my hands on. Use what you like. I have a friend that just doesn’t like mushrooms, but I am determined one day to win her over.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms, reconstituted in 1/2 cup warm water, water reserved, see Notes
- 1 small shallot, diced
- 2 1 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- `1 quart chicken or vegetable stock, lower sodium
- kosher salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour dissolved in 4 tablespoons cold water, optional
Instructions
- Remove the reconstituted porcinis from their liquid, reserve the liquid, and roughly chop. Set aside.
- In a 3 or 4-quart Dutch oven or sauce pot, melt two tablespoons of the butter.
- Once the butter is melted, add half of the cremini mushrooms and half of the shiitake mushrooms. (They will soak up the butter immediately, then begin to release their liquid. They will absorb the liquid and begin to brown. Funny little guys, aren't they?)
- Allow the mushrooms to brown, stirring every 2 minutes, until both sides are nicely browned.
- Transfer the mushrooms to a plate or bowl. Set aside.
- Add the remaining two tablespoons of the butter and repeat the cooking process with the remaining cremini and shiitakes.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the shallot, garlic, garlic and onion powders, porcinis, and previously cooked mushrooms.
- Cook, stirring often to soften the garlic and shallot, about 3 minutes more. It should be very aromatic.
- Add the stock, reserved porcini liquid, one teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the white pepper. Stir to combine, taste, and add more white pepper if desired.
- Add the half and half and stir well. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- If you like the consistency of this soup, you can serve as is. If you would prefer a thicker, creamy soup, mix the flour and water until dissolved and add to the soup.
- Stir and allow the soup to come up to a gentle boil, stirring often, until thickened.
- Serve the Cream of Mushroom Soup very warm.
- Serve with my Homemade Croutons, if desired.
Notes
The sugar listed on the nutrition label is mainly from the half and half. You can substitute heavy cream to avoid higher sugar amounts.
The nutrition label does not include croutons.
Nutrition Facts
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Serving Size
1 cup
Amount per Serving
Calories
165
% Daily Value*
Fat
9.5
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
5.4
g
34
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
2.8
g
Cholesterol
22.3
mg
7
%
Sodium
304
mg
13
%
Potassium
15
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
15.5
g
5
%
Fiber
2.8
g
12
%
Sugar
8.1
g
9
%
Protein
7.7
g
15
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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