Leek And Mushroom Bisque Food

CREAM OF WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Clean the mushrooms by wiping them with a dry paper towel. Don't wash them! Separate the stems, trim off any bad parts, and coarsely chop the stems. Slice the mushroom caps 1/4-inch thick and, if they are big, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
• To make the stock, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large pot. Add the chopped mushroom stems, the onion, carrot, the sprig of thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add 6 cups water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid. You should have about 4 1/2 cups of stock. If not, add some water.
• Meanwhile, in another large pot, heat the remaining 1/4 pound of butter and add the leeks. Cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the leeks begin to brown. Add the sliced mushroom caps and cook for 10 minutes, or until they are browned and tender. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the mushroom stock, minced thyme leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the half-and-half, cream, and parsley, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and heat through but do not boil. Serve hot.

MUSHROOM AND LEEK SAUTé

Steps:

• Put oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release their water and the pan begins to dry out again, 10-15 minutes. Add leeks and cook, stirring, until they soften a bit, 2-3 minutes. Add tarragon and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

WILD MUSHROOM BISQUE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in the soup pot, add onion and leeks and celery, allow to caramelize over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the salt, garlic and thyme and saute 3 more minutes.
• Add the wine, raise the heat and reduce for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook them with the onion mixture over medium-low heat for 6 minutes, stirring part way through cooking. Pour in the soaked mushrooms, stock and add tofu. Taste and add more sea salt, if necessary. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove thyme branches. Let the soup cool slightly and then puree in the blender to make a smooth creamy soup.
• Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley, Sauteed mushrooms, and a spoonful of tofu sour cream if you are feeling decadent.
• Cover the dried mushrooms with 1 cup hot water and set aside. Heat the olive oil in the soup pot and add the onions to caramelize. When they have turned a deep brown add the remaining vegetables, herbs, garlic, sea salt and saute an additional 3 minutes (add a little liquid if necessary). Add the dried porcini and their soaking liquid plus 9 cups cold water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes uncovered. Strain the stock through a fine mesh colander.
• Use as is or return it to the stove to reduce and intensify the flavor. A general rule of thumb: it takes about 15 minutes at a slow boil to reduce the volume of liquid by one cup. Yield: 6 to 8 cups

MUSHROOM BISQUE

Steps:

• In a 2-quart pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add mushrooms and onions and bring back to a simmer. Reduce heat to a slow simmer and cover for at least 1 hour.
• Roux:
• In a separate large pot, melt the butter, then add the flour. Whisk until evenly incorporated. Continue to whisk while slowly adding half-and-half to the roux. Add bay leaf and stir constantly until the sauce is thickened and smooth. Remove the bay leaf and discard.
• Add the mushroom broth to the roux and stir until evenly incorporated. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce, to taste. Serve immediately.

LEEK AND MUSHROOM BISQUE

Steps:

• Slice the white part of the leeks into 1/4" slices.
• Separate the slices into rings, and rinse to remove all grit.
• Wash the green parts of the leeks well and cut them into halves.
• (I find that leeks tend to be a bit sandy) Heat the oil in a soup pot.
• Add the white parts of the leeks and saute over moderate heat until they are limp.
• Add the water and then the tomato puree.
• Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat until the liquid is very gently simmering.
• Slowly sprinkle in the cream of wheat, stirring it in as you do.
• Add the green parts of the leeks, then mushrooms, and the seasoning mix.
• Cover and simmer gently for 35 minutes.
• Remove the green parts of the leeks and discard.
• Stir in enough milk or soy to give slightly thick consistency, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let the soup stand for about 1 hour.
• Heat through as needed then adjust the consistency with more milk or soy if necessary, and correct the seasonings.

LEEKS WITH BACON & MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large frying pan, then add the bacon and fry for a few mins until golden. Add the thyme, mushrooms and leeks with seasoning (remember bacon can be salty), cover pan and cook on a low heat for 20-25 mins until leeks are tender.

MUSHROOM BISQUE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute the mushrooms, onion and parsley in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool slightly. , Transfer to a blender; cover and process until pureed. Return to pan. Stir in sour cream; heat through, stirring occasionally (do not boil).

CREAMY ONE-POT MUSHROOM AND LEEK PASTA

Steps:

• Heat a wide, deep 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. When hot, add the olive oil and leeks, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until softened and lightly golden, 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and mushrooms. Cook, undisturbed, for 2 minutes, then stir and cook, undisturbed, until the mushrooms start to caramelize and stick to the bottom of the pan, another 2 to 3 minutes. (This allows the water from the mushrooms to evaporate, encouraging caramelization.) Add the juice of one lemon half to deglaze the pan and stir to combine.
• Add the pasta and stock; stir well. Cover with lid and cook on medium heat. Begin tasting pasta 10 minutes after you add it. (All pasta shapes and brands will have different cooking times. You want the pasta to be just tender.)
• Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and add the butter and parsley. Squeeze in the juice from the remaining lemon half and stir until butter is melted and dispersed. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, top with ricotta, red-pepper flakes (to taste) and more chopped parsley.