4-5cupsfresh mushroomsuse whatever variety you find at the store
1ouncedried mushroom of choiceif you can't find any that is all good, just leave it out and maybe increase the fresh mushrooms
½cupshallotfinely diced
fresh thymeor a teaspoon of dried thyme
2teaspoondill
2clovesgarliccrushed and chopped
1cupsherryor whatever white wine you have on hand
3cupsvegetable stockor use chicken stock
3tablespoonflour
1cuphalf and half or milk
1tablespoonof lemon juicesee note below - for real, it is important
4 tspcreme fraicheor sour cream
salt and pepper
1 teaspoonconcentrated chicken stock or demiglacethis is optional
Instructions
Boil some water separately. Place your dried mushroom in a bowl. Pour just enough boiling water over them to cover and let site for about 10 minutes while you begin the soup recipe.
In your best soup pot or a dutch oven, melt the butter and sauté the fresh mushrooms over high heat. You want a lot of color and caramelization on these so mushrooms first for about five minutes or so, stirring them around, then add your shallot or onion. Continue sauteeing for another five minutes to soften the onion, then add the garlic, thyme, dried dill and concentrated stock or demiglace (if using) and sautee just a few more minutes to melt the stock concentrate and soften the garlic.
Slowly pour in the sherry, while still on a high heat, and stir and scrape all the crispy goodness at the bottom of the pan for a few minutes. Pour in your stock, the rehydrated dried mushrooms and their liquid. Bring to a simmer on medium and let this cook for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, add your flour to you rhalf and half or milk (this is called a slurry) and whisk it up nice and thick.
After simmering the soup for about 10 minutes, slowly pour in the milk slurry, while stirring. Stir this completely into the soup and continue to simmer. This will thicken and 'cream' up the soup a bit, but not making it too thick - just perfect. Simmer for maybe 15 more minutes. And last but HUGE step - stir in your lemon juice right before finishing.
Garnish each bowl with a lil bit of creme fraiche or sour cream and nice hunk of bread for dipping.
Notes
Soup will last for up to three days in the fridge or you can freeze leftovers for up to three months.