Dorie Greenspan's Paris Mushroom Soup

What a banner week this has been!  Two books that I won arrived in the mail, Bon Appetit Desserts: The Cookbook for all Things Sweet and Wonderful by Barbara Fairchild, A Holiday Yarn by Sally Goldenbaum (a Christmas mystery in the cozy genre for knitting fans -- that would be me) and my own purchase of Dorie Greenspan's amazing tome, Around my French Table.  Where to begin?  I ask you.  Where?

Windy, icy, raw weather kept me in, so I was limited by what we had on hand.  Thanks to Dorie, I was able to make a delicious, rich, woodsy mushroom soup with relatively few, rather common ingredients.  A great appetizer, hearty lunch, or dinner starter, it's great at any time of the day.

PARIS MUSHROOM SOUP

Prep 25 minutes Cook: 30 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

This soup can be served over a small salad of raw mushrooms seasoned with salt, pepper, chopped chives and parsley. Cover and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for up to 2 months.

2 tablespoons butter

1-1/2 large onions, coarsely chopped

3 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

 Salt and freshly ground white pepper

1-1/2 pounds white mushrooms, trimmed, sliced

2 parsley sprigs

1 rosemary sprig

1/3 cup dry white wine

6 cups chicken broth or water

 Creme fraiche, optional

  the butter in a Dutch oven or soup pot over low heat. Add onions, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft, 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and remaining tablespoon of the butter.

 Raise the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms release their liquid, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to high; cook until almost all the liquid evaporates. Pour in the wine; let boil until almost evaporated.

Add the broth and herbs; heat to a boil. Lower the heat; cover the pot almost completely. Simmer 20 minutes. Discard the rosemary sprig.

Puree the soup in small batches in a blender or food processor until smooth. Taste for salt and white pepper. Pour the soup back into the pot; heat over low heat until hot. Serve garnished with creme fraiche.

Indulge yourself in some tasty holiday reading.