Magic Cèpe Mushroom Soup

Magic Cèpe Mushroom Soup
Magic Cèpe Mushroom Soup
I call this crowd-pleasing soup my magic recipe. It is so amazing that so few ingredients—and a soup made in a matter of minutes—can have so much depth of flavor. It really is a fine example of the miracles of infusion. The dried cèpe (porcini) mushroom powder packs a maximum of fragrance and flavor and takes well to many variations: Pair it with paper-thin slices of raw domestic mushrooms or seared domestic or wild mushrooms showered in the bowl at serving time; prepare with dried morel powder in place of cèpes; top with thin slices of raw black truffles; or add a dollop of mushroom-powder- infused whipped cream.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: 8 servings
HarperCollins Soup/Stew Dinner Mushroom Chive Milk/Cream Quick & Easy
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 cups (500 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 ounces (30 g) best-quality dried cã¨pe (porcini) mushrooms (or substitute dried morels)
  • 2 tablespoons cã¨pe mushroom powder
  • 3 cups (750 ml) chicken stock or vegetable stock
  • chopped fresh chives, for garnish
  • extra-virgin olive oil or chive oil, for garnish
  • an electric spice mill; a small jar with a lid; a large jar with a lid; a 3-quart (3 l) heavy-duty saucepan with a lid; 8 warmed, shallow soup bowls.

PreparationFor the Cèpe Mushroom Powder: Coarsely chop the dried mushrooms or cut them into pieces with scissors. Working in batches, grind them to a fine powder in the spice mill. [Makes 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) powder.] For the soup: If time permits, combine the cream and 2 tablespoons mushroom powder in a jar, seal, and refrigerate for 24 hours to infuse the cream with the mushroom flavor and aroma. (Alternatively, combine the cream and mushroom powder in the heavy-duty saucepan, bring just to a simmer, cover, remove from the heat, and set aside for 30 minutes to infuse the cream.) At serving time, in heavy-duty saucepan, combine the infused cream, salt, and stock and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat and taste for seasoning. Serve in the warmed soup bowls, garnished with chives and a drizzle of oil. Do Ahead The soup can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Variations: Add sliced raw domestic or wild mushrooms to the soup and cook for several minutes; add grilled, sliced fresh cèpes or domestic mushrooms; add truffle matchsticks at serving time. From My Master Recipes: 165 Recipes to Inspire Confidence in the Kitchen © 2017 by Patricia Wells. Buy the full book from HarperCollins or from Amazon. Reprinted with permission from HarperCollins.

PreparationFor the Cèpe Mushroom Powder: Coarsely chop the dried mushrooms or cut them into pieces with scissors. Working in batches, grind them to a fine powder in the spice mill. [Makes 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) powder.] For the soup: If time permits, combine the cream and 2 tablespoons mushroom powder in a jar, seal, and refrigerate for 24 hours to infuse the cream with the mushroom flavor and aroma. (Alternatively, combine the cream and mushroom powder in the heavy-duty saucepan, bring just to a simmer, cover, remove from the heat, and set aside for 30 minutes to infuse the cream.) At serving time, in heavy-duty saucepan, combine the infused cream, salt, and stock and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat and taste for seasoning. Serve in the warmed soup bowls, garnished with chives and a drizzle of oil. Do Ahead The soup can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Variations: Add sliced raw domestic or wild mushrooms to the soup and cook for several minutes; add grilled, sliced fresh cèpes or domestic mushrooms; add truffle matchsticks at serving time. From My Master Recipes: 165 Recipes to Inspire Confidence in the Kitchen © 2017 by Patricia Wells. Buy the full book from HarperCollins or from Amazon. Reprinted with permission from HarperCollins.