Description
Hearty vegetable soup with mushrooms and crispy herb croutons brings comfort and warmth to winter dining. Rich seasonal ingredients combine deliciously, offering a nourishing meal that warms souls and satisfies hunger with remarkable depth of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 leek, sliced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) mushrooms, sliced
Cooking Fats and Aromatics:
- 20 grams (0.7 ounces) butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Seasonings and Crouton Ingredients:
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Red pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 3 slices of bread
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
Instructions
- Prepare a foundational flavor base by gently melting butter in a large pot over medium heat. Introduce chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate celery, leek, carrot, and red pepper into the pot. Stir periodically and allow vegetables to soften for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add diced potatoes and pour enough water to completely submerge the vegetables. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a separate skillet over medium-high temperature. Sauté mushrooms until they develop a golden-brown color and release their earthy aroma.
- Enhance the mushrooms with minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes to develop complex flavors.
- Transfer the seasoned mushrooms into the soup pot, integrating them thoroughly with the existing vegetables.
- Optional: Use a hand mixer to partially blend the soup, creating a slightly smoother texture while maintaining some vegetable chunks.
- Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 10 minutes, then fold in freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
- Prepare herb croutons by preheating the oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush bread slices with olive oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and Italian herbs.
- Bake croutons for 10 minutes until they achieve a crisp, golden texture.
- Serve the soup piping hot, accompanied by the aromatic herb croutons on the side for a delightful crunch.
Notes
- Select mushroom varieties like cremini, shiitake, or porcini for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Sauté mushrooms separately to develop golden-brown caramelization and concentrate their umami characteristics.
- Blend a small portion of soup to create a velvety texture without compromising the vegetable chunks.
- Toast herbs and spices before adding to croutons to enhance their aromatic qualities and release essential oils.
- Customize croutons with different herb combinations like rosemary-thyme or oregano-basil for varied taste experiences.
- Keep croutons crispy by storing them separately and adding just before serving to prevent moisture absorption.
- Enhance soup’s nutritional value by incorporating additional vegetables like kale or spinach for extra vitamins.
- Experiment with plant-based butter alternatives like coconut or olive oil for dairy-free and vegan adaptations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg