Ingredients: 1/2 ounce pancetta or bacon, in one piece,1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided,1/4 cup carrots, cut into half-inch pieces,1/4 cup turnips, cut into half-inch pieces,1/4 cup onion, cut into half-inch pieces,1/4 cup celery, cut into half-inch pieces,Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste,1 1/2 pounds assorted chopped mushrooms,1 1/2 pounds assorted chopped mushrooms,1/4 cup ounce dried porcini soaked in ½ warm water, then strained and ch1/2 cup sherry,1 quart chicken stock,Bouquet garni*,1/4 pound peeled chestnuts,1 shallot, thinly sliced,1/2 cup white wine,1 bay leaf,1 sprig thyme,Water,Salt and pepper,2 cups heavy cream,1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus 2 tablespoons in ¼- inch dice,6 tablespoons peeled pear, in ¼- inch dice,6 tablespoons celery, in ¼- inch dice
Instructions:
- In a large soup pot, render the pancetta/bacon with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the carrots, turnips, onions and celery, season with salt and pepper and cook 8 minutes or until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Add the mushrooms and cook 15 minutes until tender and dry.
- Add the sherry and deglaze the pan.
- Add the chicken stock and bouquet garni and simmer 30 minutes.
- Remove the pancetta and bouquet garni and puree until smooth.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan.
- Add the chestnuts, season with salt and pepper, and cook 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Add the shallot and cook 5 minutes.
- Add the white wine, bay leaves and thyme and reduce halfway.
- Add water to just cover the chestnuts. Cover with a round of parchment paper and cook 12 minutes or until tender.
- Remove herbs and puree until smooth.
- Mix the two purees together. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- To make the Parmesan cream, heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. As soon as the cream is warm, whisk in the Parmesan cheese until it has completely melted. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
- To serve, put a quarter-cup Parmesan cream in the bottom of a warm soup bowl. Carefully pour the mushroom chestnut soup in the center of the cream. The cream should move up the side of the bowl, forming a white rim around the dark soup.
- Mix the diced pear, cheese and celery together. Top the soup with the diced mixture.
- A bouquet garni is a combination of herbs bundled in cheesecloth or tied with a string and used to flavor soup, stocks and sauces. I bunched together fresh thyme, sage, dried bay leaves and rosemary. You can also add dried or fresh marjoram, celery leaves or leek to your bundle.
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