Forest Mushroom Soup

INGREDIENTS

3⁄4 cup dried or 1 cup fresh morel mushrooms
3⁄4 cup fresh, skinned Portobello mushrooms, sliced
3⁄4 cup fresh white button mushrooms, sliced
3⁄4 cup fresh or 1 cup dried Porcini mushrooms
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 shallots, finely minced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1⁄2 cup dry white wine
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1⁄2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, (parsley, thyme, oregano, basil)
4-6 individual bread loaves

GUIDE / INSTRUCTIONS

For the Forest Mushroom Soup:

Clean mushrooms – if using dried ones, wash thoroughly to remove excess soil, soak in warm water for 10 minutes. Discard stems.
Cut caps into bite-sized pieces.
Heat saucepan over medium heat with olive oil, add all mushrooms and sauté for 3 minutes.
Add shallots and garlic; sauté for 2 minutes.
Season to taste, add white wine and simmer until reduced by half.
Add broth and bring to simmer.
Add cream and bring to simmer again.
Reduce heat and cook for 25
In a blender or food processor, purée half the soup until smooth, then return purée to the pan.
Stir in fresh herbs and cook for 1 minute.
Add salt and pepper to taste.

To Serve:

Preheat oven to 180° F.
Remove tops of loaves and hollow out to make bread bowl.
Place bowls on baking sheet and heat for 3 minutes. Remove bread from oven and pour hot soup into bowls.
Garnish with parsley and serve.

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Crystal Cruises, founded in 1988 by NYK Line of Japan, evolved into a luxury cruise line known for its all-inclusive experiences and award-winning itineraries, but faced financial difficulties and was acquired by A&K Travel Group in 2022, relaunching the brand in 2023 with refurbished ships. The ships underwent refurbishment in Trieste, Italy, and Crystal Serenity returned to service on July 31, 2023, followed by Crystal Symphony on September 1, 2023. A&K Travel Group has announced major refurbishments and enhancements for the two ships, including increasing the number of butler suites and reducing guest capacity.

Crystal Cruises includes:

Complimentary meals in every restaurant, including fine-dining establishments.
World-class restaurants: Featuring award-winning chefs and unique dining experiences.
Elegant and spacious suites: With personal butler service for every guest room and suite.
Onboard enrichment programs: Offering lectures, courses, and activities, including language lessons, music lessons, and wine tastings.
Shore excursions: Organized by Abercrombie & Kent, according to Crystal Cruises.
Diverse itineraries: Sailing to ports worldwide, including Alaska, the Caribbean, Canada and New England, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii and the South Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, the Panama Canal, South America, and complete World Cruises.