Calabrian Mushroom Soup Recipes

CALABRIAN HOLIDAY SOUP

Steps:

• Place chicken in a 6-qt. stockpot; add water to cover. Slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 2-3 hours. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, oregano, basil and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1/2-in. balls., Remove carcass from stockpot; cool. Return broth to a simmer; add meatballs. Cook, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through., Remove meat from carcass; shred meat with two forks and return to pot. Discard carcass and skin. Bring broth to a boil; stir in rice and spinach. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Drizzle beaten eggs into soup, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining salt and pepper.

CREAM-LESS MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic and onion and season with pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened and lightly caramelized, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken stock, bread, vermouth and thyme. Bring to a simmer and simmer for another 20 minutes.
• Transfer the soup to a blender, add 2 to 3 teaspoons sherry vinegar and, with the motor running, drizzle in the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil for a creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper and more sherry vinegar as needed to balance the richness. Divide the hot soup among bowls and garnish with Tahini Herb Drizzle, fried shallots and chopped dill.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley and honey. Season with salt and pepper. If necessary, thin with a few teaspoons of water to achieve the desired consistency.

BOMBA CALABRESE (SPICY CALABRIAN PEPPER SPREAD)

Steps:

• Place mushrooms, onion, and eggplant into bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off until very finely chopped but not liquefied, 8 to 10 pulses.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil into a skillet. Transfer mushroom mixture to skillet over medium-high heat. Add a large pinch of salt. Cook until mixture is soft, stirring, about 10 minutes.
• Cut off tops of cherry peppers; discard stems but save the ring of pepper around it. (Do wear protective gloves for this.) Cut the peppers in half and remove the seed pods. Shake out the rest of the seeds. Prep the bell peppers and habanero peppers the same way. Place all peppers in bowl of food processor. Pulse on and off until peppers are very finely chopped, but not liquefied. Transfer peppers to eggplant-onion-mushroom mixture in skillet. Add remaining olive oil. Cook and stir over medium-high heat, reducing heat as needed if mixture looks like it may brown. Add fennel seeds, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Cook until peppers are sweet and tender, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
• Stir in white wine vinegar and (optionally) another tablespoon of olive oil. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and cool to room temperature. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt, a splash of vinegar, and/or olive oil, if needed. Transfer to jars. Store in refrigerator.

CALABRIAN MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the onion for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and golden.
• Wipe each mushroom with a damp cloth and cut any large mushrooms into smaller, bite-size pieces. (Mushrooms absorb water which can lessen their flavor.).
• Add the mushrooms to the skillet, stirring quickly to coat them in the oil.
• Add the milk to the skillet, bring to a boil, cover and leave to simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Gradually sitr in the hot vegetable bouillon.
• Under a preheated broiler, toast the bread on both sides until golden.
• Mix together the butter and garlic and then spoon generously over the toast.
• Place the toast in the bottom of a large tureen or divide it among 4 individual serving bowls and pour over the hot soup.
• Top with the grated Gruyere cheese and serve at once.