Wild Mushroom Soup

• 2 cups warm water
• 3/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms*
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped peeled carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped leek (white and pale green parts only)
• 22 ounces fresh wild mushrooms (such as crimini or stemmed shiitake), sliced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 4 cups (or more) chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
• 1 cup chopped peeled russet potato
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• Chopped fresh parsley or chives
• *Dried porcini mushrooms are available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores and many supermarkets.

1. Combine 2 cups warm water and dried porcini mushrooms in small bowl.
2. Let mushrooms soak until soft, about 30 minutes.
3. Using slotted spoon, remove mushrooms from liquid.
4. Squeeze excess liquid from mushrooms back into bowl.
5. Strain 1 cup soaking liquid into another small bowl, leaving any sediment behind.
6. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large pot over medium heat.
7. Add onion, carrots and leek.
8. Saute until vegetables are tender and pale golden, about 10 minutes.
9. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and fresh mushrooms; saute until mushrooms are tender and brown, about 10 minutes.
10. Stir in porcini and wine.
11. Cook until liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes.
12. Add 4 cups stock, potato, thyme, bay leaf and 1 cup reserved porcini soaking liquid.
13. Bring to boil.
14. Reduce heat and simmer until potato is very soft, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
15. Discard bay leaf.
16. Cool slightly.
17. Working in batches, puree soup in blender.
18. Return soup to pot.
19. Mix in cream.
20. Bring to simmer.
21. Season with salt and pepper.
22. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
23. Cover and refrigerate.
24. Rewarm before serving, thinning with more stock, if desired.)
25. Ladle soup into bowls.
26. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

water, porcini mushrooms, butter, onion, carrots, wild mushrooms, white wine, chicken, peeled russet potato, thyme, bay leaf, whipping cream, fresh parsley, mushrooms

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/wild-mushroom-soup-15594 (may not work)