Creamy Mushroom Leek Soup South Beach Diet Phase 2 Recipes

CREAMY MUSHROOM LEEK SOUP (SOUTH BEACH DIET PHASE 2)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add leeks, garlic, thyme and salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in flour, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
• Add mushrooms, and chicken broth, and bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
• Transfer half the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return soup to pan, add sour cream and stir to combine. Return to a simmer and adjust seasonings. Serve hot.

CREAMY LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Wash sliced leeks in a large bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and drain well in a colander.
• Cook leeks, onion, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper in 4 tablespoons butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then add to onion mixture along with wine, stock, water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and simmer soup, uncovered, 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf and keep soup at a bare simmer.
• Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, then add flour and cook roux, whisking, until golden, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 cups simmering stock (from soup), whisking vigorously (mixture will be thick), then whisk mixture into remaining soup and return to a simmer, whisking.
• Blend soup in 4 batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), about 1 minute per batch, transferring to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Reheat if necessary, then season with salt and pepper.
• Beat cream in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until it almost forms soft peaks. Serve soup topped with cream.

MUSHROOM AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the mushrooms and leeks in the butter or margarine and olive oil until tender. Add the sherry and reduce liquid by half.
• Then add the beef broth, water and ground black pepper. Bring to a boil and add the pasta. Boil gently for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Garnish with sliced mushrooms if desired.

MUSHROOM AND LEEK SOUP WITH THYME CREAM

Steps:

• Using electric mixer, beat cream just until soft peaks form. Fold in 2 teaspoons thyme. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours to blend flavors. (Thyme cream can be made up to 1 day ahead. If cream separates, whisk until soft peaks re-form. ) Remove from refrigerator 1 hour before serving to come to room temperature.
• In 4-quart stock pot over moderately high heat, heat 2 tablespoons butter until hot but not smoking. Working in 2 batches (add 2 more tablespoons butter before second batch), cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to large bowl.
• In same stock pot over moderate heat, heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in leeks, cover, and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add cooked mushrooms, sprinkle with flour, and stir until flour is evenly distributed. Stir in stock, then salt, pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme. Bring to boil, stirring often, then reduce heat to low, set lid ajar, and simmer 20 minutes. (Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated, covered. Reheat before serving.)
• Divide soup among 8 bowls and top each portion with dollop of thyme cream. Serve immediately.