Vegetarian Mushroom Soup – Quick, Creamy, Delicious
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Have you ever noticed anything missing from our blog? Something that has never ever been featured, never even mentioned in a passing whisper?
If you’re not looking for it, you’ll never find it. We’ve ignored them so well, found their substitutes so good that they never really needed to appear before.
They come in all shapes and sizes, all types and textures. Guessed yet? I’ll give you a clue – there are pictures of them everywhere through this post.
Yep, you got it – we’re talking about mushrooms of course. I won’t bore you as to why I have a personal grudge against the slimy little bastards, but I really do not like them.
I am however aware that I’m in the minority here, and if you’ve searched for this recipe then there’s a very good chance you like mushrooms.
And if that is indeed the case, you’re in the right place.
Sometimes a recipe comes along that’s just too good to turn down.
This mushroom soup is the one used at the Muse Cafe in the UK (thanks for sharing the recipe Clare and Jan!), and as a best-seller it has thousands of happy customers willing to attest to just how tasty this soup is.
Just to be sure, Hauke made it for a dinner party – it went down a storm. It’s really quite the soup.
If you’ve been looking for a vegetarian mushroom soup, then look no further. It might not be for me, but I do enjoy a good bit of investigation.
Vegetarian Mushroom Soup – The Investigation
To wash or not to wash?
I remember reading an article a while back on the myths and various pros and cons of washing mushrooms, but I hadn’t realised there was quite such a war going on.
Let’s take a look at the mushroom washing fears and realities.
Fear: Washed mushrooms will take on extra water. They will lose texture and take longer to cook.
Reality: Mushrooms are already 90% water and any extra is negligible.
In fact, several tests have shown the water absorption is 2% (or less) and it has no impact on cooking time or texture. (Plus, in a mushroom soup you wouldn’t have to worry about too much water anyway.
Fear: Washed mushrooms won’t take on oil properly, and won’t crisp up as nicely.
Reality: True – but only if they’re sopping wet. Give your washed mushrooms a quick pat try (or use a salad spinner) and they’ll be more than fine.
A tiny bit of water will evaporate in heat at an exceedingly quick rate.
Fear: Unwashed mushrooms may harbour all kinds of unwanted baddies.
Reality: True – Hand picked mushrooms could literally have anything clinging to them, and even farmed mushrooms could have something unpleasant on them.
Why would you want to eat that?
Fear: Washed mushrooms will turn slimy.
Reality: True – A washed mushroom that is left uncooked will not be nice. Anyone who has ever left a wet mushroom sitting around can testify to this. So, don’t wash until you’re ready to cook!
Fear: Washed mushrooms just don’t taste as good.
Reality: False. The people we force-fed noticed no difference, nor did the tester in this review. This forum also has plenty to say on the matter.
Summary
Definitely wash your ‘shrooms! Using a brush or towel takes an inordinate amount of time and is just not necessary.
Instead, use water and a colander, and pat them dry or use a salad spinner.
Cook them right away. Fineline: washing is important to get rid of all sorts of nasties and won’t impact on taste or texture.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 11 oz mushrooms (roughly chopped)
- 1.5 cups vegetable broth
- ¾ cup low fat Greek Yogurt
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp parsley, fresh (or try something new: coriander, thyme, rosemary, garlic and ginger all pair
well) - 1.5 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Dice then fry the onion in a pot with oil on a low heat until it starts to turn clear, roughly 3-5 minutes.1 small onion, 1 tbsp olive oil
- Slice the garlic and add them to the pot just a minute after the onions.1 clove garlic
- In the meantime wash and pat dry the mushrooms (or spin in a salad spinner).11 oz mushrooms
- Chop the mushrooms and add them to the pot. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Add the broth to the pot.1.5 cups vegetable broth
- Cook until mushrooms are soft, around 10 minutes.
- To make a smooth soup you can use a hand blender here. Give it a blitz inside the pot.
- Add salt and pepper, nutritional yeast and any optional herbs.Salt and pepper to taste, 1 tbsp parsley, fresh, 1.5 tbsp nutritional yeast
- Add yogurt and take off heat. Stir well. Top with pumpkin seeds, herbs and a small dollop of yogurt.¾ cup low fat Greek Yogurt, 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- Serve with wholemeal bread if wanted.
- That’s it, woohooo!
Can this recipe be canned for use in other recipes, say Tuna Noodle Casserole??
Thanks for the question Susan! We don’t know much about canning, but if these ingredients can normally be canned, then why not? 😉
I think you need condensed soup for casseroles.
It tasted a bit bland so I would add fresh herb while it’s cooking. The instructions don’t say “blender” however I used one because it needed it. If you don’t want to use one, then I advise dicing well or thinly slicing the mushrooms.
Agreed, we say the herbs are ‘optional’ but we always add them too! 🙂
Nutrition facts show 2244 mg sodium. Does it come from the vegetable stock?
Thanks for the question. Half of the amount comes from vegetable stock and half from salt. 1 teaspoon of salt (5g) contains about 2000mg of sodium.
Hi, there’s a picture of a blender, but blending the soup is not mentioned on the instructions. Should I blend it or not? Tks a bunch
Good point Bianca! Yes, a quick blend gives it that creamy feeling. Somehow that’s got missed out in our instructions, I will update. Thanks for pointing it out!
Please update the immersion blender mistake as Bianca mentioned I saw the photo too and instead of yogurt I will use creme fraiche
Thanks, that’s done! 🙂
Hi there, what cream should I use? Can I please have a name and a place I get it at, thank you
Hi! Just a standard supermarket cream is absolutely fine – but of course organic and well cared for cows are a huge plus. I have no idea where you’re based, but a local health food store would be a great place to start 🙂
Hi Dave, this would be a great addition to the mushroom theme over at Food on Friday (which is on right now). Each month there are 3 different themes plus a Potluck – so you should always be able to share something. If you would like to join in the fun on a regular basis please schedule a reminder for the second Friday of each month (NZ time). Cheers from Carole’s Chatter
Hi Carole, thanks for the heads up. I’ll keep an eye out 🙂