Mushroom-Potato Soup with Smoked Paprika
Leigh Beisch
Smoked paprika--known as pimentón in its native Spain--adds a deep woodsmoke flavor to this hearty soup. Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour. Notes: Shiitake, oyster, and mitake (also called maitake or hen of the woods) are great here, but button or cremini mushrooms work well too.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a small bowl, pour 1 cup boiling water over dried porcini. Set aside.
Step 2
2
Cut off stems of button mushrooms. Finely chop stems; set aside. Halve caps, slice, and add to stems. With a slotted spoon, lift out porcini, pressing excess liquid into bowl, and transfer to a cutting board. Finely chop porcini and add to stems and caps. Reserve soaking liquid.
Step 3
3
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and add onion and salt. Cook, stirring, until onions are soft, about 3 minutes. Add pancetta and cook until onions look a bit creamy, about 2 minutes. Add paprika and cook until very fragrant, 2 minutes. Turn heat to high and add mushrooms. Cook, stirring constantly, until mushrooms start giving off their liquid, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 4
4
Add wine and cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add reserved porcini soaking liquid (pouring carefully to leave behind the sandy dregs), chicken broth, 2 cups water, and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 5
5
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, with a dollop of crème fraîche.
Step 6
6
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
Ingredients
2 ounces dried porcini mushrooms
1 1/2 pounds fresh button mushrooms
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 ounces pancetta, chopped
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (pimentón)
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups chicken broth
3 russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (1 1/2 lbs.), peeled and chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 to 8 tbsp. crème fraîche or sour cream
Directions
Step 1
1
In a small bowl, pour 1 cup boiling water over dried porcini. Set aside.
Step 2
2
Cut off stems of button mushrooms. Finely chop stems; set aside. Halve caps, slice, and add to stems. With a slotted spoon, lift out porcini, pressing excess liquid into bowl, and transfer to a cutting board. Finely chop porcini and add to stems and caps. Reserve soaking liquid.
Step 3
3
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and add onion and salt. Cook, stirring, until onions are soft, about 3 minutes. Add pancetta and cook until onions look a bit creamy, about 2 minutes. Add paprika and cook until very fragrant, 2 minutes. Turn heat to high and add mushrooms. Cook, stirring constantly, until mushrooms start giving off their liquid, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 4
4
Add wine and cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add reserved porcini soaking liquid (pouring carefully to leave behind the sandy dregs), chicken broth, 2 cups water, and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 5
5
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, with a dollop of crème fraîche.
Step 6
6
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
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