Mushroom Soup with Marsala

This recipe is a Rachael Ray magazine one from Jan 2014. I know in the picture it looks a bit dark but it was yummy and topped with the large crusty bread croutons and Parmigiano perfect! The lemon juice just before serving gives it a real nice pop of taste. I did not have fresh parsley so used dry.

• 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/2 cup)
• 4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for frying bread
• 1 pound crimini (baby portobello) mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 4 shallots, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 large bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup Marsala wine
• Good-quality white, peasant or Italian bread, sliced
• 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

In a medium size pot, simmer the porcini mushrooms in the stock to soften, about 10 minutes.

In a soup pot, heat 1/4 cup EVOO over medium-high heat. When the EVOO begins to ripple, add the crimini mushrooms and cook until lightly browned and tender, 12-15 minutes. Add the shallots, garlic, bay leaf and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Stir until the shallots soften, 2-3 minutes. Add the marsala, scraping the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by half.

Remove the porcini mushrooms from the stock; chop, then add to the pot. Pour the porcini stock into the soup pot, being careful not to add the last few spoonfuls where grit may have settled. Add 2 cups water to the pot, then let simmer until flavors combine, about 10 minutes, and season.

In a skillet, heat a thin layer of EVOO over medium. Add the bread and cook until light golden and crisp.

Before serving, stir the parsley and lemon juice into the soup. Place a piece of fried bread in each soup bowl, sprinkle with a little cheese and top with soup.