Mushroom Soup

Developed June, 2015. This recipe delivers deep mushroom flavor in less than 30 minutes. It was devised starting from a recipe in a Good Housekeeping cookbook with the aims to intensify and brighten the flavor, to cut calories, and decrease saturated fat.

1 lb white or brown mushrooms
2 oz olive oil
2 oz butter
1/2 c coarsely chopped onion
1/3 c all-purpose flour
3-1/2 c chicken or vegetable stock
salt to taste
1/2 t ground black pepper
2 T lemon juice
2/3 c half and half or light cream

Wipe mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Remove the stems, chop finely and set aside. Slice the mushroom caps thinly. Heat oil in a 4-quart sauce pan and add the butter. When bubbling stops, stir in the mushrooms and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium high until browned, stirring often. With a slotted spoon, remove mushrooms to a bowl leaving the juices behind in the pan. Heat the pan, adding more oil as needed. Add chopped stems and sliced onions, and saute until tender. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly stir in the stock, bring to a fast simmer and cook until it thickens. With an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Stir in the mushrooms and simmer a few minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, pepper, cream, and salt to taste. Serve warm. Serves 4 to 6. Skillet garlic toast makes a good side.