A great bowl of soup can be a meal or a prelude to dinner. I’m lucky to have been given some great soup recipes. I’m always looking for more so please send them to me. I’ve learned making a great soup takes time and effort. The aroma emanating from the kitchen while cooking is magic. I hope you enjoy these soups as much as I do.
KAREN’S FLORIDA BEST EVER MUSHROOM SOUP
Karen’s Best Ever Mushroom Soup
INGREDIENTS:
1 large Onion – diced
1 package white button mushrooms – 10 oz sliced
1 package baby portobello mushrooms – 10 oz sliced
10 stalks fresh thyme – leaves removed
1 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp cornstarch
1 cup whole milk
1 dried bay leaf
1/2 tbs coconut aminos – liquid aminos as an alternative
1/2 tsp salt
freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp garlic
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large saucepan, over medium heat, add the diced onions. Allow to sweat while slicing the mushrooms. About 5-7 minutes.
Move onions to the sides of the saucepan and add mushrooms, allow to cook 5 minutes uncovered.
Stir the onions and mushrooms together. Add fresh thyme and allow to continue to cook, at least 10 minutes.
You will notice a substantial amount of water has come out of the mushrooms, and they are reduced in volume by half.
Add the bay leaf, the salt and the liquid aminos to the mushrooms.
Stir the 1 tbs of cornstarch into the vegetable broth. add mushrooms and stir. Add milk.
Allow to cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste
and add freshly ground black pepper to taste.
NOTES:
This soup is amazing the next day as well and can easily be doubled or tripled.
To make the soup creamier, you can blend half the soup in a high-speed blender (be careful, it’s hot).
To thicken the soup even more, you can add a can of drained white beans or boiled potatoes.
A mixture of cremini (baby portobello) and white button mushrooms are best. However, you can use all cremini or all white button mushrooms if you need to.
If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can use 1 tsp of dried thyme.
ENJOY!
Ellen’s Creamy Asparagus Soup
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. green asparagus
1 large onion
3 Tbsps. unsalted butter
5 to 6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp. fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut the tips from 12 asparagus stalks. Cut remaining cleaned asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces. Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in heavy pot over low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces; salt and pepper to taste then cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add 5 cups of broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is tender 15 to 20 minutes. While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, approximately 3 to 4 minutes, the drain well. Puree soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl. Return mixture to pan. Stir in heavy cream, then add more broth to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil and whisk in remaining tablespoon of butter. Add lemon juice and garnish each serving with asparagus tips. Note: This soup keeps, covered and chilled 2 days. If making ahead of time, add the last tablespoon of butter and lemon juice after reheating.
ENJOY!