"Hanging-onto-the-last-few-days-of-Winter" Mushroom Soup

I really am hanging onto the last few days of winter. Everytime I look at a social network or look at the ads on tv, it seems as though everyone everywhere is wishing away winter. I, unlike the majority, am in love with winter so will relish in these last few days. 

Soup is definitely synonymous with winter and I LOVE mushrooms so why not make mushroom soup. As much as I love mushrooms, I have never made mushroom soup, until tonight that is :)

This is a very easy recipe to follow and if you chop onions and mushrooms really fast, you can have the meal done in 30 minutes :)

This meal serves 2 people. Perfect in my household because its just myself and the love of my life :)

What's Needed

Olive Oil (EVOO)

½ small onion chopped finely

2tsp crushed garlic

2 trays of mushrooms (500g), sliced

3 tsp thyme (I used Robertsons)

1/2 white wine

¼ cup cream* Optional

2-3 cups chicken or vegetable stock. I made use of the woolworths powdered stock

Salt and pepper to taste

Garlic Bread, Olive Loaf, Plain Toasted Baguettes

How To

Heat a “glug” of oil – think a tablespoon

Add chopped onions and fry until soft and clear (this requires a low heat)

Add garlic and gently fry until fragrant (or slightly brown but not burned)

Remove from pan and set aside.

Add chopped mushrooms to same pan that you used to fry the onions and garlic in.

Fry for a few minutes until golden brown. Feel free to add a little more oil here if the mushrooms are sticking. High heat is needed for this.

Reduce the heat and add the onion and garlic mix to the mushrooms.4

Add thyme and wine.

Let the wine mix reduce a bit...you want the alcohol to essentially cook out but you do not want the mix to be dry. Remember this is soup you're making.

Add the chicken or veg stock and allow to simmer for 5/10 minutes.

Remove about 2 tablespoons from mix and set aside while you blend the soup mixture. Add the cream at this stage if you are including it.

When you're done blending the mix, return the mushrooms to the pot and allow to heat for a few minutes. 

Serve with garlic bread, olive ciabatta or plain toasted baguettes. 

Enjoy!

Needless to say, I really enjoyed my meal, along with the warmth that came from my heater AND my hot water bottle!

Little secret: I ate about 5 pieces of garlic bread while taking pics..I'll work on my nutritional value tomorrow :)