Mushroom Soup With Ginger Food

GINGER BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Cut squash in half and remove all the seeds and inner fibers. (It's best to remove with a grapefruit knife) Place skin side in a baking dish with a little water and roast in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove all skin from squash when cool. Cut squash into two inch square.
• Place squash with fresh garlic and fresh ginger in a large pot with 1/2 cup of chicken stock and sweat over low heat for 10 minutes. Add remaining stock and bring to a boil. Turn down to light simmer and cook until squash is tender approximately 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except for shiitake mushrooms. Puree in a food processor until smooth. Remove the stems from the Shiitake mushrooms and slice a 1/4-inch thick. Simmer in squash soup for 2 minutes.
• Ladle six ounces into each serving bowl and garnish with slice basil.

ASIAN MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook the garlic and ginger until browned. Combine the broth, soy sauce, and fish sauce, if using, to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the remaining ingredients except the snow peas, scallions, and sesame oil. Simmer for 20 minutes, and then add the snow peas. Cook for just a few minutes longer, until the snow peas have softened but are still bright green. Add the scallions to the saucepan, remove from heat, and ladle into serving bowls. Drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the top of each serving.

LEMON-GRASS-GINGER SOUP WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat the stock over medium heat. Trim two of the lemon-grass stalks of their toughest outer layers, then bruise them with the back of a knife; cut them into sections, and add them to the stock with the ginger and about 1/4 of the minced chilies. Simmer for about 15 minutes, longer if you have the time. Peel all the hard layers off the remaining stalk of lemon grass, and mince its tender inner core.
• When you're ready to eat the soup, remove the lemon grass and ginger. Add 1 tablespoon nam pla and the chopped mushrooms. Taste the broth, and add more chilies if you like, as well as some salt if necessary. In the bottom of each of 4 warmed bowls, sprinkle a little each of the chile, lime leaves or zest, lime juice, cilantro and minced lemon grass.
• Ladle the soup into the bowls and add a teaspoon of nam pla to each bowl. Serve piping hot.

MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Soak the dried mushrooms in 5 cups very hot water until soft, anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. When they are tender, remove mushrooms from the soaking liquid with a slotted spoon, reserving the liquid; slice or chop if the pieces are large.
• Meanwhile, put the butter in a large pot that can later be covered over medium heat. When it melts, add the herb, onions and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to medium high, and add the fresh mushrooms; add the soaked mushrooms when they're ready. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms have given off their liquid and begun to brown, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the sherry or Madeira to the pot and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom as the liquor starts to bubble. Add the stock or soaking liquid and bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a steady simmer and cook, covered, until flavors have melded, about 15 minutes.
• Discard the herb. Reduce the heat to low, and purée the liquid with a hand-held mixer to desired consistency. (I like it half-puréed.) Add the cream if you're using it; stir to combine and let simmer for a few minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning; garnish with parsley and serve.

LEMONGRASS-GINGER SOUP WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat the stock over medium heat. Trim two of the lemongrass stalks of their toughest outer layers, then bruise them with the back of a knife; cut them into sections and add them to the stock with the ginger and about one-fourth of the minced chiles if you're using them. Simmer for about 15 minutes, longer if you have the time. (You can prepare the recipe in advance up to this point; cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before proceeding.) Peel all the hard layers off the remaining stalk of lemongrass and mince its tender inner core.
• When you're just about ready to eat the soup, remove the lemongrass and ginger. Add 1 tablespoon of the nam pla and the chopped mushrooms. Taste the broth and add more chiles if you like, as well as some salt if necessary. In the bottom of each of 4 warmed bowls, sprinkle a little chile if using, lime leaves or zest, lime juice, cilantro, and minced lemongrass. Ladle the soup into the bowls and add a teaspoon of nam pla to each bowl. Serve piping hot.

HOT AND SOUR SOUP WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Combine broth and mushrooms in bowl. Let stand until mushrooms soften, about 20 minutes. Remove mushroom from broth and squeeze dry over bowl with broth; reserve broth. Discard mushroom stems; thinly slice caps. Combine vinegar and cornstarch in small bowl; stir to blend.
• Heat oil in large saucepan over high heat. Add ginger; sauté 30 seconds. Pour in reserved broth, leaving behind any sediment. Bring to boil. Add tofu, noodles, soy sauce, red pepper, sugar and mushrooms. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture; stir until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.

BOK CHOY SOUP WITH MUSHROOMS AND GINGER

Steps:

• Soak dry porcini mushrooms in 250 ml of hot water for 5 - 10 minutes. Drain, but save the water.
• In a large pot over medium heat sauté shallots and garlic in the oil for 3 - 4 minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.
• Add porcini mushrooms, the water they soaked in, vegetable broth, ginger and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.
• Add bok choy and cook for 5 minutes, until tender.
• Before serving stir in Chinese spice mixture and chili powder.
• Meanwhile, prepare the rice noodles according to the instructions on the package. Drain and divide noodles among four bowls. Add bok choy soup to the noodles.