Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mixed wild mushrooms (such as cremini, shiitake, oyster), cleaned and sliced
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 5 ounces kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: Crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and caramelized. Be patient; this step is key for flavor.
- Add the minced garlic, sliced wild mushrooms, dried thyme, and smoked paprika to the pot. Increase heat to medium and cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms have softened and released their liquid.
- Pour in the balsamic vinegar and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the vinegar has mostly evaporated.
- Stir in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add the chopped kale to the soup, stirring until it wilts and becomes tender, about 3-5 minutes. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately, perhaps with a side of crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
For an extra layer of richness, swirl in a tablespoon of non-dairy cream or a dollop of plant-based yogurt before serving. This soup also freezes beautifully; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months. To rewarm, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently heat on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
