Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup

No can opener required for this crowd-pleasing soup.

recipe image

Ingredients (Makes 6 servings)

½ cup wild rice
4 tsp kosher salt
1½ cups cold water
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
2½ cups torn oyster mushrooms
2½ cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps
½ cup finely chopped shallots
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/3 cup brandy
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
7 cups beef, vegetable or mushroom stock, warm
1 tbsp fresh thyme
1 pinch nutmeg
½ cup 35% cream

Instructions

  1. Place wild rice, salt and cold water in a small pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, until the rice is soft and grains are slightly bursting. Drain and set aside.
  3. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large pot and sauté each type of mushroom separately, until soft and golden, about 3 minutes. Add more butter to your pan if necessary while cooking the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper while cooking. 
  4. Remove mushrooms and set aside. 
  5. Add shallots, celery and garlic to pot and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. 
  6. Add brandy and deglaze, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Add flour and stir for 1 minute. 
  7. Slowly pour in mushroom stock, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
  8. Add thyme, nutmeg and cream. Stir in reserved mushrooms and wild rice. Season soup with salt and pepper to taste. 
  9. Heat soup through, being careful not to boil, because the soup may split.

Photography by Rob Fiocca
Food Styling by Carol Dudar
Prop Styling by Jenn Cranston (Plutino Group)