Vegan Cream Mushroom Soup (Printable Version)

Smooth, hearty vegan mushroom soup with fresh herbs, cashews, and baby bella mushrooms for a creamy texture.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Mushrooms and Aromatics

01 - 14 g dried porcini mushrooms
02 - 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
04 - 450 g baby bella mushrooms, sliced (or white button mushrooms)
05 - 4 cloves garlic, peeled (2 whole, 2 minced)

→ Liquids and Broth

06 - 1 cup (240 ml) water, divided
07 - 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable broth
08 - 2 tablespoons gluten-free tamari (or soy sauce)

→ Thickening and Creaminess

09 - ½ cup (75 g) raw cashews
10 - 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch (or corn starch)

→ Seasoning

11 - Black pepper, to taste

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Place dried porcini mushrooms and rosemary in a bowl. Pour 240 ml boiling water over and let steep for 20 minutes.
02 - Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and 60 ml vegetable broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until softened and lightly caramelized, approximately 15 minutes.
03 - In a high-speed blender, combine steeped porcini and rosemary with its liquid, cashews, and 2 whole garlic cloves. Blend until completely smooth, adding a splash of broth if needed. Set aside.
04 - Add minced garlic, tamari, and black pepper to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until moisture evaporates.
05 - Pour remaining vegetable broth into the pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the blended mixture thoroughly.
06 - Dissolve arrowroot starch in remaining water. Slowly add to the pot while whisking continuously. Cook until soup thickens, about 3 minutes.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Steeping dried porcini mushrooms enhances umami depth. Use gluten-free tamari for a soy-free variation. Soaking cashews beforehand is unnecessary due to blending.