Post Title: Comforting Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup with Cheesy Toasties and Bacon
Time Estimates:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Introduction
There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm, hearty bowl of soup. The Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup, topped with cheesy toasties and crispy bacon, is more than just a soup; it’s a meal that warms you to your core. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or when you need a pick-me-up meal.
Why Make this Recipe
This recipe combines the deep, savory flavors of caramelized onions and mushrooms with the crispiness of bacon and the gooey delight of cheese. It’s a true dance of textures and flavors, and the ultimate comfort food, guaranteed to leave your tastebuds satiated and your stomach content. Plus, it’s well worth the effort, since everything comes together in under sixty minutes!
How to Make Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup
Important highlights of the process include caramelizing the onions to perfection, browning the mushrooms just right, and finding the right balance with the broth. While the soup simmers, you have time to prepare those delightful cheesy toasties and crisp bacon for the topping.
Ingredients:
For the soup:
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon butter
– 2 large onions, thinly sliced
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 pound (450g) mushrooms, sliced
– 1 teaspoon thyme
– 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the cheesy toasties:
– 4 slices of bread
– 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or your choice)
– 8 strips of bacon
Directions
The directions have been broken down in six main steps:
1. Caramelize the onions in olive oil and butter.
2. Cook the minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, and thyme.
3. Simmer the soup with broth, add the cream, and season it.
4. Prepare the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy.
5. Make the cheesy toasties in the oven.
6. Assemble the soup by topping it with a cheesy toastie and crispy bacon.
How to Serve Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup
This soup is best served in large, wide bowls to leave room for the toasties and bacon. It also pairs nicely with a light salad or some roasted vegetables on the side.
How to Store Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup
The soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoyed for up to 3 days.
Tips to Make Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup
Remember that when it comes to caramelizing onions and cooking mushrooms, patience is key to unlocking the best flavor. Also, you can experiment with different types of cheese for the toasties and different herbs for the soup to customize it according to your tastes.
Variation
For a vegetarian version, replace the bacon with roasted flavored tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use any type of mushrooms?
A: Yes, feel free to use any type of mushrooms you prefer or have on hand.
Q2: What type of bread works best for the cheesy toasties?
A: A sturdy bread like sourdough or a pre-sliced baguette holds up well under the cheese and in the soup.
Q3: Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
A: Yes, you can replace the heavy cream with full-fat milk for a lighter version of this soup. However, this might alter the final texture and creaminess.