Wild Mushroom Soup With White Truffles 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.

WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 12 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high, add the mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms release their liquid but do not brown, about 8 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
• Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth (be careful when blending hot liquids). Add the Marsala if using and season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the soup into 4 bowls. Dollop with the creme fraiche and sprinkle with the chives. Drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil over top.

REALLY WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Wash all the mushrooms in lukewarm water in a deep bowl. Mix the mushrooms well to loosen the dirt. Remove them from the water by hand, leaving the dirt in the bottom of the bowl. Repeat until there is no dirt. Remove the stems from the oyster and shiitake mushrooms, then slice all the mushrooms. Keep the domestic mushrooms separate from the other types.
• Heat an 8-quart sauce pot over moderately high heat. Add the olive oil, the domestic mushrooms, and the minced shallots, and cook until the mushrooms are soft. Add the remaining mushrooms, and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the vermouth, and reduce for 5 minutes.
• Add the milk, fresh thyme, garlic, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, and lower to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, then remove the thyme sprig, and season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool slightly, then puree in the blender.
• Meanwhile, quickly blanch the strips of black trumpet mushrooms in salted water. Cool and add to enoki mushrooms and chives.
• To serve, reheat the soup in a sauce pot or in the microwave. Divide the tossed Enoki and black trumpet mushrooms into 6 equal portions, and place them in the center of 6 bowls. Pour the soup into the bowls at the table, pouring over the mushroom mixture to heat it up.

MUSHROOM VELOUTE WITH WHITE TRUFFLE SABAYON

Steps:

• To prepare the veloute, combine the butter, shallots, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme in a large saucepan. Sweat the shallots until translucent. Add the whole mushrooms, reduce to low heat, and cook, stirring for 3 minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil, and cook until mushrooms are tender. Pour the mixture into a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Pour the veloute back into the saucepan, add the cream, and season with salt and pepper.
• To make the sabayon, use a stainless steel bowl over a double boiler. Combine the egg yolks and water and beat for about 10 minutes, until eggs reach a stable foamy consistency. Remove the bowl from the double boiler, stir in the truffle oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, divide the veloute among the bowls. Pour a few tablespoons of the sabayon in the center of each bowl, forming a circle. Finish with a slice of white truffle for each bowl.

FRESH WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add all mushrooms and thyme; sauté until mushrooms begin to brown, about 8 minutes. Add brandy; stir 30 seconds, then mix in flour. Slowly stir in broth; bring soup to boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls.