Mushroom-Potato Soup with Smoked Paprika
Leigh Beisch
Yields Makes 6 to 8 servings Total Time 1 hr
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.

Mushroom-Potato Soup with Smoked Paprika

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