My Favorite Version of Mushroom Soup

An all time favorite with both my kids (and a number of my friends too ). And I am more than happy to make this soup once a week as its packed with nutrition, vitamin Bs and dietary fibre.  It's tasty, quick and easy to make (under 30 minutes if you've got a handheld blender) and a whole load of fun for my daughter  (who'd don her chef costume and help with the cutting of the mushrooms (with a plastic knife of course)).

So what would you need for an earthy, thick and grainy mushroom soup that's packed with goodies:-

250 g fresh white button mushrooms, sliced

250 g fresh swiss brown mushrooms, sliced

100 g fresh shitake mushrooms, sliced

1 medium size onion, finely chopped

1 small potato (or 100 g cubed potato)

1 tablespoon salted butter

750-800 ml of chicken broth

2 bay leaves

A pinch of thyme ( dried or fresh is fine)

Salt and black pepper to taste
Grated nutmeg

250 ml Thick Cream

Parsley and croutons for garnishing

(Serves 5-6)

Swiss brown mushrooms, white button mushrooms, half a large onion and  potato

Clockwise from 12 o'clock : Black pepper, nutmeg, dried fresh thyme, bay leaves

A 4 year old who'd provide some kitchen assistance

What do you do with the ingredients?

1. Sautee the finely chopped onions in a tablespoon or more of butter until onions are soft and translucent.
2.  Throw in the sliced mushrooms and cubed potatoes and continue to sautee for about 2-3 minutes.
3.  Pour in the chicken broth and the 2 bay leaves and simmer for about 10-15 minutes
4. Season with salt and black pepper and a a pinch of thyme (for those who insist on some kind of quantification, i would say less than 1/8 of a teaspoon of thyme)
5. Remove bay leaves and blend with your handheld blender until fine or to the consistency desired
6. Taste and add more salt and pepper to your liking.
7. Grate some nutmeg in and taste again (do not over do the nutmeg - just less than a pinch will do)
8. Reheat gently, turn off the fire and pour in a half cup of cream (or slightly more depending on how creamy you like your soup).
9. Serve in bowls and garnish with some cream, croutons and parsley for that "finished" look (illustrated below)

Flavors of the earth in a bowl... Enjoy!!