Chestnut and wild mushroom soup
SERVES
6
PEOPLE
PREP TIME
30
MINUTES
COOKING TIME
30
MINUTES
CUISINE
COURSE
Starter
Method
Put the dried wild mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and pour 400ml (14 fl oz) of boiling water over to cover. Set aside for 20 minutes, until they have plumped up. Drain the mushrooms and gently squeeze dry, reserving the soaking liquid.
Heat a large pan and add the oil. Add the chestnuts, the onion and drained wild mushrooms and sweat gently for 10 minutes, until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.
Add the thyme to the pan with the reserved soaking liquid, madeira wine and the stock, stirring to combine. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for another 20 minutes. Stir in the cream and allow to heat through for 1 minute, then whizz with a hand-held blender until as smooth as possible.
Season to taste, then blend again until light and foamy, tilting the pan to get the maximum effect.
To serve, ladle the soup into warmed bowls. Garnish each one with the chives and micro herbs.
Ingredients
50g dried mixed wild mushrooms, crushed
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
450g peeled chestnuts (canned or vacuum-packed), chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
50ml Madeira wine
1.2 litres chicken or vegetable stock
200ml cream
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
snipped fresh chives, to garnish
fresh micro herbs, to garnish
Method
Put the dried wild mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and pour 400ml (14 fl oz) of boiling water over to cover. Set aside for 20 minutes, until they have plumped up. Drain the mushrooms and gently squeeze dry, reserving the soaking liquid.
Heat a large pan and add the oil. Add the chestnuts, the onion and drained wild mushrooms and sweat gently for 10 minutes, until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.
Add the thyme to the pan with the reserved soaking liquid, madeira wine and the stock, stirring to combine. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for another 20 minutes. Stir in the cream and allow to heat through for 1 minute, then whizz with a hand-held blender until as smooth as possible.
Season to taste, then blend again until light and foamy, tilting the pan to get the maximum effect.
To serve, ladle the soup into warmed bowls. Garnish each one with the chives and micro herbs.
