Mushroom Soup

Well, it may not be the most appetizing looking soup, but it is hearty and can be relatively inexpensive. The recipe below serves 4 and we made a double batch which serves 8, but feeds four. The double batch cost less than ten dollars because the mushrooms were on manager's special. So, you can feed four people a hearty meal of mushroom soup for about $2.50/person.

You Need:

1.5 to 2 lbs shrooms, sliced.

4 tbsp butter

one good sized onion, chopped

about 3 tbsp all purpose flour

2 tbsp vinegar or wine or lemon juice (do not overdo it on the vinegar)

about six cups chicken stock

two thirds cup of heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

garnish with sour cream if you wish

Prep: Melt about half the butter  in a skillet (medium heat) and add mushrooms and salt and pepper. Cook until done. Remove from heat.

                          

Melt rest of butter in a saucepan and add onion. Cook until sweated and then add flour and cook for a couple more minutes. Then add the stock and vinegar or juice/wine.

                         

                        

Add mushrooms, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or so. Stirring now and again.

                    

                   

Allow the soup to cool a bit, then puree until smooth. (hand blender/blender/food processer--all work fine for the puree step)

Add cream and cook for a few minutes until the soup heats back up. (thicken with flour or corn starch, if you wish)

You can also garnish with some sliced shrooms and parsley or just eat it as is.

Again, a relatively cheap and hearty meal.