Description
This Wild Mushroom Caramelized Onion Non-Alcoholic Ale Soup is a rich, savory vegetarian soup featuring a blend of shiitake and baby bella mushrooms, slowly caramelized onions, and a touch of creamy coconut milk. Enhanced with non-alcoholic ale for depth and complexity, this hearty soup is perfect for cozy evenings or sophisticated appetizers without any alcohol content.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 sweet organic onion, sliced to about ½” thickness
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp pink or sea salt
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
- 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, whole
- 2 cups sliced baby bella or cremini mushrooms
- 4 cups organic vegetable broth
- 2 cups organic non-alcoholic ale, roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup coconut milk or coconut cream
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced sweet onion and cook slowly for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are richly golden-brown and fully caramelized. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Add the whole shiitake and sliced baby bella mushrooms to the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high and sauté the mushrooms until they release their moisture and develop browned edges, approximately 8-10 minutes. Season the mixture with pink or sea salt and cracked black pepper.
- Add Broth and Ale: Pour in the vegetable broth, making sure to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the roughly chopped non-alcoholic ale and stir well. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for at least 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Incorporate Coconut Milk: Stir in the coconut milk or cream. Continue to let the soup simmer gently, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes until it has slightly thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Final Adjustments and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend the soup to your preferred consistency. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish as desired with fresh herbs or a drizzle of extra coconut milk.
Notes
- Slow caramelization of onions is key to developing the deep flavor base of this soup.
- Use fresh, organic mushrooms for the best taste and texture.
- Non-alcoholic ale adds depth without alcohol content, but vegetable broth alone can be used if unavailable.
- Coconut milk adds creaminess and subtle sweetness; full-fat coconut cream can be used for a richer soup.
- Immersion blender is optional and depends on texture preference.
- Garnish options include fresh thyme, chives, or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for extra umami.
