Chestnut Mushroom Soup Recipes

CHESTNUT MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using a chestnut knife or a small paring knife, make an incision about 1/8 inch deep through the shell and into the flesh of each chestnut almost all the way around the circumference. Transfer to a chestnut pan or rimmed baking pan. Roast in the oven until the chestnuts are tender, about 35 minutes. Turn the oven off. Leaving the pan with the chestnuts in the oven, remove several at a time. Working quickly, place 1 chestnut in a towel, and, holding both, peel the chestnut while still hot. Remove and discard the shells and inner skin; set aside.
• Roughly chop all but 2 cremini and 2 shiitake mushrooms. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter with the olive oil in a small stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook the mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme sprigs. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the onions are translucent, about 8 minutes. Add all but 4 chestnuts, and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and water, raise heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until the chestnuts are falling-apart tender, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs, and let stand about 10 minutes.
• Let the soup cool slightly. Pass the soup through a sieve, and transfer the solids, reserving the liquid, to a food processor or blender. Puree, in batches, until very smooth. Add the reserved liquid, and process for 1 minute. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Transfer to the stockpot, stir in the cream, and place over low heat until hot.
• Cut the 4 reserved chestnuts and the 4 reserved mushrooms into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Melt the remaining tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chestnuts and mushrooms, and cook until crisp and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide the soup among soup bowls, and garnish with sautéed chestnuts, mushrooms, and thyme leaves.

CHESTNUT AND MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and leek. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened. Deglaze with brandy, if using, or 3 tablespoons warm water (pour in the liquor or water and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon).
• If you are using vacuum-packed or jarred chestnuts, pat them dry with paper towels. Add the chestnuts to the pot and cook for 4 minutes, stirring gently from time to time, until the chestnuts are lightly golden.
• Reserve two mushrooms for garnish. Slice the remaining mushrooms and add them to the pot. Add the chilli powder if desired. Pour in the stock and season with salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, lower the heat to medium-low, and cook for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
• Let the soup cool for a few minutes. Puree the soup using an immersion blender, until the soup is smooth with just a few remaining chunks. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, taste, and adjust the seasoning. (The soup can be made a day ahead up to this point). Reheat and ladle into bowls. Cut the reserved mushrooms in slices, and chop the parsley leaves roughly. Plop a mushroom slice on the surface of each bowl, sprinkle with parsley and a touch of freshly ground pepper, and serve.