Description
Creamy mushroom & pearl couscous soup delivers Mediterranean comfort in a single bowl, blending earthy mushrooms with delicate pearl couscous. Rich herbal notes and velvety texture invite you to savor each warming spoonful of this elegant culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) beef broth
- 1 cup (170 grams) pearl couscous
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) white wine
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 gram) dried thyme
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) half & half
Optional Serving Ingredients:
- Sour cream
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot and set it over medium heat, gently melting butter without allowing it to brown. Introduce sliced baby bella mushrooms, delicate shallots, and aromatic garlic, sautéing them until they release their fragrant essence and become slightly tender.
- Elevate the flavor profile by sprinkling in a blend of dried dill, smoky paprika, and earthy thyme. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce for depth, white wine for complexity, and robust beef broth. Calibrate the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, then escalate the heat to create a vigorous boil.
- Cascade pearl couscous into the bubbling liquid, immediately reducing the temperature to a gentle simmer. Secure the pot with a tight-fitting lid, allowing the ingredients to meld and the couscous to absorb the rich, layered flavors for approximately 20 minutes.
- Evaluate the couscous for perfect texture—it should exhibit a tender yet slightly resilient character. If needed, continue simmering until achieving optimal doneness. Once the grains reach ideal consistency, transition the pot off the heat source.
- Introduce velvety half & half, stirring to create a luxurious, creamy transformation. Carefully transfer the soup into serving vessels, crowning each portion with a generous dollop of tangy sour cream. Complement the dish with rustic crusty bread, inviting diners to indulge in this comforting culinary experience.
Notes
- Explore alternative mushroom varieties like shiitake or cremini for unique flavor profiles and added nutritional depth.
- Swap beef broth with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian-friendly version of this comforting soup.
- Use gluten-free pearl couscous or quinoa for those with wheat sensitivities or gluten restrictions.
- Consider adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives as a vibrant garnish to enhance visual appeal and provide a fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg