Creamy Mushroom Soup with Toasted Bread Crumbs

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) mixed mushrooms (such as button, cremini, and shiitake), sliced 500g (1.1 lb) mixed mushrooms (such as button, cremini, and shiitake), sliced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 slices of bread, crust removed and cut into small cubes 4 slices of bread, crust removed and cut into small cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 14g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 5g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown.
3. 3.
   Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir well to coat.
4. 4.
   Gradually pour in the vegetable broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
5. 5.
   Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.
6. 6.
   Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree the soup until smooth.
7. 7.
   Return the soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and toast them until golden brown and crispy.
9. 9.
   Ladle the creamy mushroom soup into bowls and sprinkle the toasted bread crumbs on top.
10. 10.
    Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mushrooms — Make sure to clean the mushrooms thoroughly before slicing them. If using shiitake mushrooms, remove the tough stems before slicing.
• Bread crumbs — For extra flavor, you can toss the bread cubes in melted butter before toasting them in the pan.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense mushroom flavor, you can use a combination of wild mushrooms in addition to the common varieties.
• If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add more vegetable broth or water to the soup.
• To make the soup more filling, you can serve it with a side of crusty bread or a green salad.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Mushroom Soup hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a slice of fresh bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprig of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve the soup in elegant soup bowls or rustic ceramic bowls to enhance its visual appeal.