Description
Hearty wild rice and mushroom soup embraces comfort with rich, earthy flavors from woodland ingredients. Silky broth and tender vegetables promise a warm culinary journey that delights with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or a mix)
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare wild rice in a saucepan, following package guidelines until grains become tender and split open, releasing their earthy aroma. This process typically requires 40-50 minutes of patient simmering.
- While rice cooks, select a variety of fresh mushrooms like shiitake, cremini, and oyster for a complex flavor profile. Clean and slice them into uniform, delicate pieces.
- Heat a large pot over medium temperature, introducing butter to create a rich, golden base that will enhance the soup’s depth.
- Sauté the chopped mushrooms until they release their moisture and develop a beautiful caramelized exterior, creating a robust, umami foundation for the soup.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic, allowing them to become translucent and fragrant, infusing the mixture with aromatic layers.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux that will thicken the soup’s consistency.
- Gradually pour in vegetable or chicken broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, uniform texture.
- Add heavy cream, transforming the liquid into a luxurious, velvety mixture that coats the palate with richness.
- Fold in the cooked wild rice, letting it mingle with the creamy base and absorb the surrounding flavors.
- Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of thyme, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to achieve a perfectly balanced soup.
- Simmer the soup for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop a complex, comforting flavor profile.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and fresh herbaceous note.
Notes
- Rinse wild rice thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris and enhance its natural nutty flavor.
- Use a mix of mushroom varieties like shiitake, cremini, and porcini to create a more complex and rich taste profile.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt, which adds creaminess while reducing calories.
- Vegetarians can replace chicken broth with vegetable broth to maintain the soup’s depth of flavor while keeping it meat-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg