A Deliciously Tasty Ukrainian Mushroom Soup Recipe
The people of Ukraine know their mushrooms. In fact, it’s a national pastime. The country is filled with mushrooms from the countryside to the infamous Carpathian Mountains. Foraging for mushrooms happens as long as the weather allows.
People use them for personal home cooking as well as to sell to markets and restaurants. The country produces an average of 60 thousand tons of the veggie each year. Many of the mountain mushrooms grow to be the size of pizzas.
Ukraine has mushroom farms like the United States has apple and pumpkin farms. For many years there was even an annual international mushroom conference in Kiev.
With all these mushrooms, the people of Ukraine have developed tons of tasty recipes with which to use them. Couple this with the popularity of soup in the country and you get a deliciously tasty Ukrainian mushroom soup recipe.
A Deliciously Tasty Ukrainian Mushroom Soup Recipe.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 ounces of dried Porcini mushrooms ( soak for 8 hours, in warm water, to rehydrate. Do not throw out the water).
- 1 large onion, cut in half
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 large potato diced
- 1 tablespoon of flour
- 1 tablespoon of oil or butter
- 8 champignon mushrooms (or whatever type you prefer)
- 1/2 cup dried pasta (small)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of dill
Directions
- In a medium pot, heat the oil or butter. Then add the carrot and fresh mushrooms. When the carrots start to soften and the mushrooms start to brown (about 10 minutes), add the flour to soak up the oily liquid, and add a bit of salt.
- Add the Porcini stock (dried mushroom liquid) one ladle at a time to the pot. Stop when you are about 2 inches from the top. Bring the stick to a boil.
- Add in the potato, pasta, and onion, rehydrated Porcini mushrooms, and 1 tablespoon of dill. Mix well, reduce to a simmer, put a lid on the pot. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
- Ladle into bowls. Add more dill and fresh pepper if you prefer.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Mushroom Soup?
- calories: 83
- sodium: 9 milligrams
- calcium: 10 milligrams
- vitamin: 9 milligrams
- sugar: 2 grams
- fiber: 2 grams
- fat: 1 gram
- protein: 2 grams
- potassium: 303 milligrams
- iron: 1 milligram
Mushrooms are a great source of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect which has been shown to improve the functioning of the immune system.
What Are Porcini Mushrooms And How Do You Dry Them?
Also known as penny or button mushrooms, porcinis are known for their meaty texture and earthy flavor. These mushrooms are perfect for soups, sauces, pasta, and rice dishes. Porcini mushrooms can be found in the wild, growing in clumps near birch, pine, and beech trees in forest areas. If you don’t care to forage, the mushrooms can be purchased dried, fresh, or canned at your local supermarket.
A good Porcini mushroom will have:
- no black spots (overripe)
- no holes (worms)
- large, firm caps
- pale under caps
- red to brown caps
- solid consistency (not crumbly)
- strong, earthy fragrance
Porcini mushrooms can sometimes be hard to find. So when you see them, it’s a good idea to stock up. That way, you can dry them and have them at your disposal whenever you have the need. There are several different ways to dry the mushrooms. Oven drying is one of the easiest. Follow these steps to have some same day dried Porcinis.
- do not wash or soak the mushrooms
- use a dry paper towel to brush away dirt and grime
- preheat the oven to 150 degrees
- place the mushrooms on a baking sheet with space in between
- do not put any oil on the sheet or mushrooms
- let them dry in the oven for about an hour
- take them out, flip, and blot them with a paper towel to soak up any moisture
- place back in the oven for another hour
- check again and dab any moisture
- continue to bake until the mushrooms are cracker crisp dry
Dried mushrooms must be stored in airtight containers. They can be stored in the freezer or at room temperature. If you choose room temperature, keep them in a cool, dark place away from any moisture. When stored properly, your dried mushrooms will last for at least a year.
What Are Some Other Delicious Ukrainian Soups?
Much like mushrooms, Ukrainian people know their way around a soup pot. Historically, it’s been an economical way to fill up a family using locally grown vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, beets, and potatoes. Here are a few delicious examples.
1. Cabbage Soup
Used as a fad diet in the United States, Ukrainians have been eating cabbage soup for hundreds of years. Filled with potatoes, cabbage, and carrots, it’s delicious with your choice of meat.
2. Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup
Borscht is a hearty beet soup, made with red beets, potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, and garlic. It’s one of the most popular soups in Eastern Europe.
3. Kapusta
This Ukrainian soup is truly a meal in itself. Kapusta is loaded with bacon, tomatoes, sauerkraut, and kielbasa.
4. Potato Soup
Potato soup is all the same, right? If you’ve ever had Ukrainian style potato soup, then you know the answer is no. This version calls for cabbage, sour cream, and dill. You end up with a creamy earthiness like no potato soup you’ve ever had.
5. Ukrainian Fish Soup
A simple to make soup with your choice of monkfish, cod, or halibut. Cracked pepper and dill are the secret to bringing the flavors out.
6. Lenten Godz
This soup is popular for celebrations and is usually cooked outside over an open fire. It’s filled with pickled cucumbers, potatoes, sweet peppers, green beans, and rice.
7. Rosivnytsya
One of the national dishes of Ukraine. This flavorful soup is great for cold nights. Ingredients include ham, corn, grits, and pepper peas.
8. Kulish
Made from millet, potatoes, onions, and salo (fat back). Kulish is an ancient soup that is highly nutritious and easy to make. It was once a staple of the Ukrainian military diet. Nowadays, people add their own twists, from mushrooms to green beans.
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