Wild Rice And Mushroom Soup

Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

     So I was craving another good bowl of soup.  This time I decided to make a hearty wild rice and mushroom soup.  I have had a many creamy mushroom soup before and have never attempted to make it.  This version incorporates not only the earthiness of the mushrooms but the wonderful addition of some bacon flavors.  As the saying goes, “bacon makes everything much better”.  This soup was so simple that it only took about 15 minutes to put together. I added a few mushrooms that I had coated in panko bread crumbs and quick fried to the top of each bowl to add a bit of crispiness, allure, and presentation to each bowl of soup I served.  Please enjoy this Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices bacon
• 1/2 white onion
• 3 cups mushrooms
• 1 large clove garlic
• 1/4 cup Brandy
• 32 oz chicken stock
• 4 tbs flour
• 3/4 cup half and half
• 1 tsp thyme
• Wild rice/quinoa
• Salt/pepper

     In a large pot or Dutch oven brown your bacon until crisp.  Remove and set aside to drain on paper towel lined plate.  Toss in diced onion, diced up mushrooms, and garlic and sauté until tender.  Pour in the brandy and simmer until it reduces.  Stir in the flour until you have a thick mixture.  Keep stirring until you have cooked the flour taste out.  Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.  Mix in the thyme and half and half and continue to simmer until your mushrooms are cooked and your soup is at the right thickness, about 20-30 minutes.  I then mixed in already cooked wild rice/quinoa and salt and peppered to taste.  I topped each bowl with individually breaded and fried mushroom halves.

     You will love this soup.  It is creamy just enough and hearty in all the right places.  If you like mushrooms you will love this soup.  Just think about your favorite hearty stew and how it makes you feel.  You will be surprised at how this simple soup of only a few ingredients can be so hearty like any other soup or stew that you will change your mind on what fills you up. This soup has such a wonderful silky richness that you will think you are eating something too expensive for your own tastes. Enjoy! Serves about 4-8 people.