"Cream" of Portabella Mushroom Soup

"Cream" of Portabella Mushroom Soup

In Durham, where we live, today is probably one of the last days we'll feel a palpable chill in the air.  And there's no better time to enjoy a homemade soup.  Sometimes, when I buy large quantities of a certain vegetable, with the best intentions of using all of them, time catches up with me before I've had time to- and I realize I better use these veggies and fast.  This is when I often make a big batch of soup.  This week, I found myself faced with an overload of baby bellas, and thirty minutes later I had a yummy soup ready for lunch.

"Cream" of Portabella Mushroom Soup
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 lb baby bella mushrooms
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 clove garlic, chopped
32 oz vegetable broth
1 tsp dried thyme or 2 tsp, fresh
1 tsp salt or more to taste
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp sherry
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp vegan butter substitute
1 cup plain almond milk or soy milk
chopped parsley and scallions for garnish

Directions: Preheat the butter and olive oil in a dutch oven to medium heat and once the butter is melted and the oil is shimmering, add the onions, garlic, half the salt and saute until tender.  Then add the mushrooms, thyme, sherry and the remaining salt and pepper and saute until tender.  Then add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover, stirring occasionally, cooking for about 20 minutes.  Lower the heat to low and blend using a handheld immersion blender directly in the dutch oven. You can also blend in batches using a traditional blender, making sure to cover the opening at the top of the blender with a towel to let the heat escape and reduce splatter.  Return the blended soup to the dutch oven and add the almond or soy milk and cook over medium-low until it reaches a temperature warm enough to serve.  Ladle into bowls and top with the chopped parsley and scallions.  

Vegetarian non-vegan option: Use cow's milk in place of the almond or soy milk and top with a dollop of sour cream or creme-fraiche.