2012-01-12-WildRice2.jpgMaybe it's just residual from the holidays, but I've been feeling rather homesick lately. No surprise that this manifests as food! My family is from Minnesota, and this soup was a winter staple in my house. Even when we moved out of state, relatives would send us bags of Minnesota wild rice to keep us supplied.

The grassy aroma of the wild rice as it cooks, the deep savory taste of caramelized mushrooms, the first creamy sip of soup: all these things make me feel one step closer to home.

2012-01-12-WildRice4.jpgMy mother always made this soup with plain old white button mushrooms. I most often use baby bellas in my version, but I'll also throw in chanterelles or other wild mushrooms when I can find them.

Whichever mushrooms you choose to use, be sure to cook them deeply before adding the stock. They should get really brown and caramelized, and a sticky brown glaze should build up on the bottom of the pan. This takes a little while, but this is also where the soup gets its deep savory flavor and richness. You'll thank me later.

At its base, this soup is vegetarian. If you'd like to add some meat, try some shredded turkey, a few strips of meaty bacon, or my personal favorite, diced-up leftover ham.

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Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

Makes about 6 servings

1 cup wild rice
1 large onion, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
1 pound mushrooms, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup white wine
1 bay leaf
1-2 cheese rinds (optional)
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2 teaspoons rosemary
1 cup whole milk or cream
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons salt, divided

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the wild rice and one teaspoon of salt, and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 40-50 minutes, until the rice has burst open and tastes tender. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid to use as stock if desired.

While the rice cooks, prepare the rest of the soup. Warm a teaspoon of oil in a dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and celery with a half teaspoon of salt, and cook until the onions have softened and turned translucent, 3-5 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium and stir in the mushrooms and another half teaspoon of salt. Cook until the mushrooms have released all their liquid and turned dark brown, 15-20 minutes. Don't skimp on this step! This is where the soup gets its deep, rich flavor.

Add the garlic and oregano, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir until the vegetables become sticky and there is no more visible dry flour. Increase the heat again to medium-high and pour in the wine. Stir and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Continue simmering until the wine has reduced and thickened a bit.

Add the bay leaf, cheese rinds, and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes to meld the flavors. Add the rosemary, milk, and wild rice. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, until the soup has thickened to your liking. Stir in the cider vinegar. Taste and add more salt or vinegar to taste.

Leftovers will keep refrigerated for up to a week.

2012-01-12-WildRice3.jpgRelated: Good Product: Trader Joe's Wild Rice

(Images: Emma Christensen)