Mushroom Soup

Dear Blogites (Blogidians?, Blogos? hmm not sure about salutation)

While bowl of results looks OK it tastes superb! Only ingredient not in group picture was Franks' Hot Sauce (aka Tabasco) more about that later - but what do you expect - mr. sauce has gotten so big time with buffalo wings and all - cannot make it to a group shot scheduled days in advance.

Here we go:

Read through the recipe and get your ingredients (graciously highlighted for you with bold lettering)chopped and measured etc. , we are talking healthy, full flavored food that should be an easy 30-45 minute prep.

Pour 4 cups of warm water over 3 cups of dried mushrooms (purchased at Costco in the large container - you can find them in smaller amounts at other grocers) Allow mushrooms to rehydrate for at least a half hour.

While mushrooms are doing their spa treatment - pour 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil into a large soup pot over medium heat.

Add 3 cups coarsely chopped raw onion and 2 generous teaspoons minced garlic (generous teaspoons means don't level it off).

Pay attention while they are merrily cooking - easy to scorch garlic and tastes vile.

Remove mushrooms from their liquid (don't throw it away!) and very coarsely chop. When onions are turning translucent, add in chopped mushrooms and 3 cups of the yummy re hydrating liquid. A little more or less makes NO difference.

Cook down to about half as much liquid. Sprinkle over the mixture 1/4 cup all purpose flour - stirring a lot so it won't be in one huge flour lump. Add 1 cup dry sherry.

Allow to bubble for a few minutes to burn off the alcohol but leave yummy flavor.

Add 3/4 teaspoon of ground dry thyme, one teaspoon sea salt, one teaspoon medium grind pepper (the 4 peppercorn mixture is available most places).

Pour in 4 cups (conveniently the exact size of one of those boxes of broth) beef broth.

Stir in 6-8 ounces coarsely chopped cooked turkey (this was the turkey left from delicious Thanksgiving meal!). Allow to cook for 10-15 minutes over low heat.

Check seasoning - at this point you might add a little more salt but go easy - this is supposed to be healthy! The one teaspoon hot sauce goes in now - soup will not taste hot.

Ta Da - I served with shredded swiss cheese on the top - but would be wonderful with grated parmesan and croutons also.

Eaten by two very manly men and one 88 year old lady as well as yours truly - all agreed - delicious!

To gather many more recipes - go to the link added above - enjoy y'all!