This soup originally came from the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley and is well worth making.
Serves about 4 generous portions
10 x 5inch Portabello mushrooms, cubed to about 1/2 inch
3 slices Applewood smoked bacon cut into 1/2″ pieces
10 shallots, skinned and sliced. (Shallots are sweeter than onions)
4 cups chicken stock
5 drops truffle oil, per bowl
salt and pepper
3 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 leek, sliced to 1/2 inch pieces and cleaned
1 750 ml bottle of Pinot Noir
4 cups cream
8 tbsp goat cheese, at room temperature
Chanterelle mushrooms, for decoration
In a heavy bottomed saucepan, sweat out the bacon, shallots, garlic and leeks in a mixture of butter and olive oil.
Add the Portobello mushrooms and continue to sweat until about 90% of the moisture from the mushrooms has evaporated.
Add the Pinot Noir and reduce until about 1/2 is left.
Cover the mushrooms with the chicken stock and reduce to a slow simmer.
Cook for about 20 to 30 mins, add the cream, slowly bring to a boil and simmer for 5 mins.
Puree in a blender.
Season well and pass through a fine sieve and keep warm.
When serving, sprinkle the truffle oil, the crumbled goat cheese, or sprinkle some sauteed chanterelles (in butter) or some small garlic croutons.