Mushroom soup

Here's a detailed recipe for a delicious mushroom soup:

Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• Mushrooms: 500g (fresh, any variety like cremini, button, or shiitake)
• Butter: 3 tablespoons (you can use olive oil as an alternative)
• Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves, minced
• Celery: 1 stalk, finely chopped
• Carrot: 1 medium, finely chopped
• Vegetable or Chicken Broth: 4 cups
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup (or substitute with coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
• Thyme: 1 teaspoon dried (or a few sprigs of fresh thyme)
• Salt: to taste
• Pepper: to taste
• Parsley: for garnish (optional)
• Flour: 2 tablespoons (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Mushrooms:

   • Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Slice them thinly.

2. Sauté Vegetables:

   • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Cook the Mushrooms:

   • Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned and have released their moisture.

4. Add Broth:

   • Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and add thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

5. Blend the Soup:

   • If you prefer a smooth soup, use an immersion blender to purée the soup to your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer it in batches to a blender.

6. Add Cream:

   • Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want a thicker soup, you can mix flour with a little water to create a slurry and add it to the soup, stirring until thickened.

7. Serve:

   • Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy!

Tips:

• For added flavor, consider incorporating a splash of white wine when cooking the mushrooms.
• You can also add other herbs or spices, such as bay leaves or nutmeg, for a unique twist.

Enjoy your creamy mushroom soup!