Cream of Mushroom Soup

I have to confess something.  When I'm not feeling well, I want cream of mushroom soup.  I mean the stuff that comes in the red and white can.  Growing up, it was always my favorite comfort food... even as an adult, it was my guilty pleasure.  That is, until Ann of Thibeault's Table shared her recipe for real cream of mushroom soup.  It's so good and so easy.  Real sliced and sauteed mushrooms, not those tiny, little gray cubes that come in the canned stuff.  This can be as rich and thick as you want it to be.  Today I kept it a little brothier.  Some crouton or crostini, and I've got a wonderful meal.  I don't even miss the red and white can!!

Cream of Mushroom Soup

3 - 4 tablespoons butter
2 - 3 cups of sliced mushrooms
1 large shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 sprig of fresh thyme
4 cups chicken stock/ broth
2 cups milk
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon, (optional)
salt and pepper, to taste
3 - 4 tablespoons flour, (optional)

Saute sliced mushrooms in butter.  Add shallot, cooking for 2 - 3 minutes, until shallots are tender but not browned.  Add minced garlic and thyme, and cook 1 minute.  Add broth and bring to a boil.  Add milk and simmer for 30 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and tarragon, if using.  If a thicker soup is desired, mix flour with some milk in a jar, and slowly stir into soup, continuing to cook until soup thickens.  Optional - coarsely puree soup with an immersion blender.


Serves 4


Source:  Ann Thibeault