RECIPE: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

This earthy, creamy mushroom soup is the perfect meal for a cool night. You can alter this recipe with a mixture of different mushrooms varieties and change the seasoning using either Hungarian sweet or smoked paprika.  The sour cream can be on the side and added in dollops by the diner or mixed in.

However you fix it, it is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter

2 cups chopped onions

1 pound fresh mushrooms (mixed wild and/or commercially grown varieties), sliced

2 teaspoons dried dill weed

1 tablespoon Hungarian sweet paprika or smoked paprika

1 tablespoon soy sauce or Tamari

3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup milk

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

Ground black pepper to taste

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onions in the butter for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 5 more minutes. Stir in the dill, paprika, soy sauce, and broth. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk the milk into the flour a little bit at a time until it is smooth. Pour the mixture into the hot soup and stir well to blend. Cover and simmer for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Next, stir in the salt, ground black pepper, parsley, and sour cream. Mix together and allow to heat through over low heat, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not boil. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Serves six.

This post has been a contribution by Kristin Frost Albrecht on behalf of The Food Basket, Hawai’i Island’s Food Bank.