Creamy Chestnut Soup With Porcini Mushrooms And Sauteed Root Vegetables Food

CHESTNUT SOUP

Steps:

• To Cook Chestnuts: With a sharp knife, slice an 'X' across each chestnut. Place chestnuts in a single layer on a jelly roll pan. Pour 1/4 cup water into the pan. Bake in a preheated 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) oven for 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, shell and peel.
• In a large saucepan combine the chicken stock, shelled chestnuts and chopped onions. Place the parsley sprigs, cloves and bay leaf in a spice bag and add to the chicken stock mixture. Simmer over medium-low heat for 45 minutes.
• Discard the spice bag and puree the chestnut mixture in a food processor or blender. Add the heavy cream, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Return mixture to saucepan and gently heat through. To serve to with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream, a bit of chopped parsley and some cooked chopped chestnuts just before serving. High quality vegetable broth can be substituted for the chicken broth.

ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the onion, carrot, celeriac, potato, fennel, turnip, and artichokes into medium to large chunks. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and cook until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the carrot, and cook for 5 minutes, and then add the remaining vegetables at 5 minute intervals, adjusting the heat as necessary so the vegetables don't brown. When all the vegetables are soft, add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the soup has come together; it should have a thick consistency. Garnish each bowl with the chile powder and more olive oil.
• This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

CREAMY CHESTNUT-MUSHROOM SOUP WITH SAUTEED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Combine porcini mushrooms and 3 cups hot water in medium bowl. Let stand until porcini mushrooms soften, about 15 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer porcini mushrooms to heavy large saucepan. Add porcini soaking liquid to saucepan, leaving any sediment behind in bowl. Add vegetable stock and chestnuts to same saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to saucepan. Add cream and 1 tablespoon Sherry. Bring soup to simmer. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.)
• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, carrot and rutabaga; sauté until tender and beginning to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon Sherry. Season with salt and pepper.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Top with vegetables and serve.
• *Porcini mushrooms are available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores and many supermarkets nationwide.

CREAMY MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Bring a kettle to the boil, then pour the water over the dried porcini just to cover. Heat half the butter in a saucepan, then gently sizzle the onion, garlic and thyme for 5 mins until softened and starting to brown. Drain the porcini, reserving the juice, then add to the onion with the mixed wild mushrooms. Leave to cook for 5 mins until they go limp.
• Pour over the stock and the reserved juices, bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 mins. Stir in crème fraîche, then simmer for a few mins more. Blitz the soup with a hand blender or liquidiser, pass through a fine sieve, then set aside.
• Heat the remaining butter in a frying pan, fry the bread cubes until golden, then drain on kitchen paper. To serve, heat the soup and froth up with a hand blender, if you like. Ladle the soup into bowls, scatter over the croûtons and chives and drizzle with truffle oil.

CREAMY PORCINI MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• In a heatproof bowl, pour the hot water over the porcini mushrooms and soak for 30 minutes.
• In a large, wide-bottomed saucepan over high heat, warm 2 Tbs. of the oil and melt the butter. Add the button and shiitake mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden and tender and the liquid has nearly evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining 1 Tbs. oil to the pan with the mushrooms, then add the onion and garlic. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and golden, 6 to 8 minutes more. Add the thyme and sauté 1 minute more.
• Strain the porcini through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving the soaking liquid and the porcini. Add the soaking liquid to the mushroom-onion mixture along with the vinegar, stock and cream. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Using a stick blender, puree the soup until smooth and blended. Season with salt and pepper. Chop the porcini coarsely and stir into the soup. Ladle into warmed soup bowls and garnish each serving with a pinch of chopped chives. Serves 8.