38 oz of Mushrooms (White, Shitake, Portobello)

We had a fantastic cream of mushroom soup for dinner today. It was creamy and mushroomy! One bowl had more mushrooms than any mushroom soup that I've had in 25 years, combined. In preparation of this soup, I had bought 1 pack of portobello mushrooms (6 oz), 2 packs of white mushrooms (8 oz each), and 4 packs of shitake mushrooms (4 oz each). Oh yes, a total of 38 oz of mushrooms in one grocery shopping! There are probably going to be some staring from your fellow grocery shoppers. Hey, mushrooms are good for you... Are they not?

38 oz Mushroom Cream
Inspired by Balthazar's Cream of Mushroom Soup

Serves 4 generously
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 sprigs of thyme
16 oz white mushrooms
16 oz shitake mushrooms
6 oz portobello mushrooms
1 yellow onion
3 cloves of garlic
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter

1. Wash, stem and slice all the mushrooms. Slice the onions and garlic. Set aside.
2. Heat the oils in a large pot. Put the thyme in the hot oil. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow infusion of the aromatics then remove from oil and set aside.
3. Turn the heat setting up to high and put in all the mushrooms. Stir to coat the mushrooms with oil. The mushroom should deflate quickly due to the high heat. Keep stirring until most of the liquid released from the mushrooms are evaporated.
4. Add in the onion and garlic. Turn stove to medium heat. Cover and cook until the onion turns transparent.
5. Add in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Remove the little needle like leaves from the thyme and add them to the soup.
6. Process the soup into a puree in a blender by batch. Return to the pot over medium heat.
7. Add in the butter, cream and milk. Bring to a boil and serve!

Side note: the soup is wonderfully creamy; however, it's missing a little texture. I think I will leave a pack of mushroom for pan frying and add it in step 7. Alternatively, I will make this soup in a bread bowl or with a cheese puff pastry top!