Wild Mushroom and Walnut Soup

DESCRIPTION

This luscious dish is an enticing change from the traditional mushroom soup. Porcini mushrooms and ground walnuts offer an earthy contrast to the mild broth.

Total Time
50 Mins
Serves
6
Meal
Dinner Lunch

Total Time

Prep Time
15 Mins
Cook Time
35 Mins
Total Time
50 Mins

Nutrition

Calories
385 cal
Total Fat
27 g
Trans Fat
0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
7 g
Cholesterol
60 mg
Sodium
275 mg
Carbohydrates
23 g
Dietary Fiber
4 g
Protein
13 g

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1-1/2 pound wild and white mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms, reconstituted (see instructions below)
  • 1 cup ground California walnuts
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 6 cups hot chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/3 cup sherry
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
  • 1 cup whipping cream*
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sautéed mushrooms and/or blue cheese for garnish

*low-fat milk can be substituted for whipping cream

Preparation

  1. In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot on high heat, melt butter. Add mushrooms, walnuts, onion, garlic, celery and bay leaves and sauté until lightly browned (about 5 to 10 minutes). Reduce heat to medium, add flour and cook for another 2 minutes. Stirring constantly, slowly add hot broth and sherry and bring to a boil.
  2. Let simmer for 20 minutes and remove bay leaves.
  3. Remove from heat and using an immersion blender, pulse until mushrooms are nearly puréed or until desired consistency.
  4. Return to heat, bring to a boil and add thyme and cream. Stir to combine. Garnish with sautéed wild mushrooms and/or blue cheese, if desired, and serve.

Tips:

For a subtle, smoky flavor, use 3 to 4 strips of bacon in place of butter. Make soup ahead of time; refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

To reconstitute the dried porcini mushrooms:

Follow the directions on the package. Or, combine porcini and 1-1/2 cups boiling water in medium bowl. Let stand until porcini soften, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove porcini from water and chop coarsely.