Bucking the trend

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Every other blog in the universe is posting dessert recipes this month.  I’ve lingered over many of them – delightful confections featuring gingerbread, peppermints, chocolate and many other holiday flavours.  It’s the season to enjoy sweets in any form, and not think about the consequences until the New Year.

So why am I posting a recipe for soup?

For one thing, as the title suggests, I do like bucking a trend. I’ll probably post my dessert recipes next summer when everyone else is making salad.

But in a month of occasional decadence, I also wanted to remind myself that eating simply can often mean eating very well.  Take this Cream of Mushroom Soup with White Wine and Leeks.  It’s delicious and surprisingly quick to make.  And it’s filling enough that, after eating a bowl, you might make one less trip to the dessert buffet.

Speaking of which, don’t worry – I’m pretty sure I’ll post at least one dessert recipe this month.

Cream of Mushroom Soup with White Wine and Leeks

Ingredients
4 Tbsp butter
1 cup sliced leeks
1 1/2 pounds sliced mushrooms (I used cremini, but button mushrooms would also be good)
3 Tbsp flour
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup white wine
1 cup half and half

Melt the butter in a large skillet.  Add the leeks and sauté for 3 – 5 minutes until tender.  Add mushrooms and sauté until they just start to soften.  Do not overcook.

Remove 1/4 cup of the mushroom mixture to use for garnish.

Add the flour and mix with remaining leek and mushroom mixture.  Cook for 2 – 3 minutes.  Add chicken broth and white wine, and bring to a gentle boil to thicken.

Reduce heat and add the half and half, cooking just until warm.  Garnish each serving with a spoonful of the mushroom and leek mixture.

30 comments:

Valerie Gamine said...

Beth, you rebel! :D This soup looks like the perfect, hearty meal to curl up with whilst deciding on what kind of dessert to make next!

Kathy said...

Beth, This soup looks incredibly delicious! A perfect bowl of comfort for those very busy days! Lovely!

Stina said...

Oh yum! I love mushroom soup with white wine in it.

lol on the dessert recipe comment. I'm posting one on Wednesday as part of someone's blog tour. And the cookies look nothing like the ones in the magazine. Not even close. But they did taste yummy. :D

Bonnie said...

Oh, I think this is absolutely perfect! I love soup and what better time to enjoy it than a month when so much heavy and rich food is served. I love mushroom soup. I hope you are having a wonderful December. Bonnie

Natalie Aguirre said...

Simple and sounds so good. Thanks for bucking the trend.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Good to see someone bucking the trend! Good for you. And good for you for posting this great soup. I've made cream of mushroom before, but it's been years (decades) since I've done so. I've actually been thinking about this lately, so your recipe is quite timely for me. Looks terrific - thanks.

Anonymous said...

I've made Ina Garten's creamy mushroom and leek soup, but this looks delicious as well!

Justine L said...

Yum! This looks lovely. I've been posting soups, too, in between cookies. One has to eat SOMETHING nutritious, right? :)

grace said...

good for you! though since i post dessert recipes 95% of the time, i shall continue that trend during the holiday season, but no extras! :)
i do love a creamy soup.

Belinda said...

Go for it - do your thang! This soup is mmmm mmmm good'

Anonymous said...

Agreed! I've got more recipes for sweets than I know what to do with. Soup is great for winter, and we need to eat something other than sugar in December.

Vi said...

I love leeks, this looks so yummy. Great food for the winter! Since desserts aren't really my thing I'm glad you went against the grain!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love mushroom soup - this looks delicious :)

Julie said...

A perfect recipe for this time of year. The cold weather has come to town and this would be perfect with a loaf of crusty bread!!!

lisa is cooking said...

I love that this cream soup seems not too heavy, and I love mushroom soup! This is a perfect meal to have between all the sweets.

Food Gal said...

Mmm, the real-deal cream of mushroom, not the wobbly stuff out of the can. Love it! Perfect for this time of year. ;)

Lawyer Loves Lunch said...

Even though I'm one of the thousands of bloggers posting sweet treats, I'm glad you posted a real meal because my waistline cannot handle any more desserts. Love the addition of leeks to this soup (and also love the butter but well, who doesn't)? :)

Joanne said...

I have quite a few desserts coming up but I'm still all about the savory/healthy when it's not dessert time! This soup looks so decadent!

Barbara said...

We all have to eat lunch and supper, Beth. I think your soup looks lovely!
(I'm posting one cookie after another because I did all the cookie-baking before I moved. Knew I would not have time to do a lot of blog baking during December!)

Katerina said...

Beautiful soup Beth and you are right your soup is the perfect distraction from all the sweets we all post these days!

Anonymous said...

My mouth is watering. I love mushrooms.

This would be a nice break from candy canes and other sweets.

Unknown said...

Your soup looks good anytime!!! I could use a bowl of soup right now, enough all ready with the sweets;-)

Danielle's Heartfelt Home said...

Looks delicious! Just what I need on a cold winter's night : )

Danielle xo

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

Mmm, this looks fantastic! And i love that you're bucking the dessert blog trend right now. It's good to see a savory recipe instead!

Claudia said...

Oh Beth - this is winter comfort food at its best. I am printing it now. Soups like this get me through a dark winter's day.

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Mmm perfect winter food this looks awesome :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Angie's Recipes said...

Creamy and warming..this is exactly my kind of winter soup, Beth.

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, your wonderful soup looks like pure comfort in a bowl - I love cream soups and the recipe for your Cream Of Mushroom Soup sounds delicious!

Jennifer Kendall said...

i love mushrooms so much, this sounds absolutely wonderful!

nancy at good food matters said...

an elegant soup, really. in the aftermath of great holiday feasts and indulgent desserts, soups and stews are the way to dine.

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