Mushroom and Wild Rice Bisque

It’s nutritious enough to be health food and has just 153 calories per serving, but it doesn’t taste like health food. Instead it’s creamy and fragrant with herbs, has delicious bits of wild mushrooms and wild rice, and, best of all, it warms you from the inside out.

Mushroom and Wild Rice Bisque

Ingredients

• 1 tsp avocado oil (or olive or any other vegetable oil)
• 1/2 cup dry wild rice
• 1 medium onion (finely minced)
• 2 cloves garlic (smashed and finely minced)
• 2 stalks celery (finely chopped)
• 1 oz dry mushrooms like shiitake, chopped. (Or 8 oz fresh mushrooms like shiitake, crimini or button)
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 tsp mixed dry herbs (I used oregano and thyme)
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup raw cashews (see nut-free option in notes below)

Instructions

1. Place the wild rice in a saucepan with 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer, cover and cook 45 minutes. Drain.
2. If using dry mushrooms, soak them in 2 cups hot or boiling water for at least 30 minutes. Drain and reserve the stock.
3. Blend the cashews with 1/2 cup vegetable stock into a very smooth paste.
4. Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the onions, garlic and celery. Season with salt and pepper and saute until soft and translucent.
5. Add the mushrooms with the wine. Cook until the wine has evaporated, stirring frequently.
6. Add the herbs and the vegetable stock and the reserved mushroom stock. Bring to a boil, cover and cook 10 minutes.
7. Remove half the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. You can blend up to 3/4th if you want less texture in the soup.
8. Return the blended soup to the pot with the rest, add the drained wild rice, and cook another five minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cashew cream, warm through, and serve hot.

Recipe Notes

• For a nut-free version, blend 1/4 block of soft silken tofu (about 3 oz) with enough water to make a smooth paste.

https://holycowvegan.net/mushroom-and-wild-rice-bisque/