Mushroom soup is a soup made with mushrooms. There are many different types of mushroom soups. Cream of mushroom soup is very popular and is available commercially canned or may be made at home.
The basic method of making homemade cream of mushroom soup is to saute clean, sliced fresh mushrooms in a pan with salt and pepper until just tender. Then in a pot, butter is melted before adding flour to thicken it. After a thick smooth paste called a roux is formed, light cream is added to create the cream soup base. The sauteed mushrooms are added to the base to complete the basic cream mushroom soup recipe.
Mushroom chicken soup is usually made with chopped, sauteed mushrooms and onions plus chicken broth and small pieces of cooked chicken. Besides salt and pepper, a small amount of seasoning such as nutmeg or curry powder may be added. Some cooks like to add vegetables such as thinly sliced carrots to simmer in the soup until tender.
Barley mushroom soup recipes may use grilled rather than sauteed mushrooms to add a smokier flavor. Other grilled vegetables such as onions or bell peppers may be added. Canned tomatoes and chicken or vegetable broth may form the soup base and garlic and bay leaves may be included in the seasoning to help bring out the flavor of the barley grains. Fresh parsley is also often added to mushroom barley soup.
Mushroom soup ingredients can also be elegant by using different types of mushrooms such as porcini and shiitake along with the usual button variety. Wine can be added along with broth, garlic and seasonings such as rosemary or tarragon. A wedge of lemon and a garnish of chopped chives can add color to the soup. Mushroom soups can also be created using leftovers such as cooked vegetables, rice and even fish or meat. Precooked foods should be added near the end of the cooking time to prevent mushy, overcooked food in the soup.
Canned cream of mushroom soup is a convenient food to have as it can make a quick, hot lunch along with a sandwich or salad. Preparing the soup is as easy as adding the canned contents to a pan and then gradually mixing in a soup can of water. Precooked leftover foods may be added to the canned soup for the last few minutes of simmering to create a thicker, heartier soup.
