Description
Wild rice and mushroom soup showcases northern Minnesota’s rich culinary heritage with earthy mushrooms and hearty grains. Comfort comes through each spoonful, inviting diners to savor complex flavors that speak of woodland traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or a mix)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Cook wild rice in a saucepan according to package instructions until grains become tender and split, releasing an earthy aroma, approximately 40-50 minutes.
- Mushroom Preparation: Select a medley of shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms, cleaning and slicing them into uniform pieces to build a complex flavor foundation.
- Base Creation: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, developing a golden, aromatic base that will elevate the soup’s overall taste profile.
- Mushroom Transformation: Sauté sliced mushrooms until they caramelize and release moisture, creating an intense umami-rich layer for the soup’s structure.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Add finely diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence into the developing mixture.
- Thickening Process: Dust flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux that will provide the soup’s desired creamy consistency.
- Liquid Integration: Pour broth slowly while whisking to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth liquid base that will serve as the soup’s foundation.
- Cream Incorporation: Stream in heavy cream, transforming the liquid into a luxurious, velvety mixture that adds richness and depth to the soup.
- Final Composition: Fold cooked wild rice into the creamy base, allowing ingredients to meld and create a harmonious, comforting flavor profile.
- Seasoning and Finishing: Season with salt, pepper, and thyme, adjusting to taste, then simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to fully develop and intertwine.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley or chives to add a vibrant, herbaceous final touch that brightens the entire dish.
Notes
- Choose Mushroom Variety: Select a mix of mushrooms like shiitake, cremini, and oyster to create depth and complexity in flavor.
- Control Rice Texture: Cook wild rice carefully to achieve perfectly split, tender grains without becoming mushy; watch closely during 40-50 minute cooking time.
- Build Layered Flavor: Caramelize mushrooms thoroughly before adding other ingredients to develop a rich, intense umami base for the soup.
- Prevent Cream Separation: Whisk broth and cream slowly and consistently to maintain a smooth, silky texture without curdling or creating lumps.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg