Cream of mushroom soup
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon of good quality cooking oil
2 finely chopped onions
4 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 1/2 pounds (750 g) fresh brown mushrooms, artfully sliced
4 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme (divided)
1/2 cup Marsala wine (or dry red or white wine)
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or broth
1-2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
2 crushed beef bouillon cubes
1 cup heavy cream or half and half (substitute evaporated milk)
chopped fresh parsley and thyme for garnish
Cream of mushroom soup
Preparation:
First, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of good quality cooking oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Fry the finely chopped onion for 2-3 minutes until soft, then add the minced garlic and fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Introducing the main character of our soup. I sliced 1 1/2 pounds of fresh brown mushrooms. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of freshly chopped thyme on top and cook for 5 minutes to bring out the rich, earthy flavor of the mushrooms. Pour in half a cup of Marsala wine and simmer for 3 minutes, giving the mushrooms a little more flair. Dust mushrooms with 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour and mix well. Cook for another 2 minutes, then stir in the flour and mushrooms to create a velvety consistency.
Pour in 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth or stock and stir carefully to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Season with 1-2 teaspoons salt, 1/2-1 teaspoon black pepper, and crushed beef bouillon cubes. Cover and simmer soup, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
Carefully lower the heat and carefully add 1 cup or half of the heavy cream. Continue to simmer gently without boiling to maintain a creamy consistency. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
Enhance the appearance and freshness of the soup by mixing in chopped fresh parsley and the remaining 2 teaspoons of thyme just before serving. Bright greens and fragrant herbs contribute to a truly delicious presentation.