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Shiitake Mushroom and Leek Soup

  • Prep-time: / Ready In:
  • Makes 7 cups
  • Serving size: 2⅓ cups
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This scrumptious potato, leek, and mushroom soup is a plant-based riff on Cock-a-leekie soup, a Scottish chicken-and-leek soup usually made with barley. Our version substitutes umami-rich shiitake mushrooms for the chicken and replaces the barley with freekeh, but you could easily use barley or any other cooked whole grains you have on hand. Red potatoes work well here as they hold their shape, while dried thyme lends a subtle grassy undertone. Requiring just 20 minutes of active prep time, this light and fragrant soup is a breeze to make and an ideal starter to serve guests.

Tips

Shiitake Swaps: If you don’t have shitake mushrooms, feel free to use portobello, white button, or cremini mushrooms instead.

For more inspiration, check out these tasty ideas:

By Mary Margaret Chappell,

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 large leek, halved lengthwise and cut into ½-inch pieces (2 cups)
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 6 red-skin potatoes (1 lb. total), cut into bite-size chunks
  • ¾ teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
  • 1 cup cooked freekeh
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Lemon wedges
  • Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Instructions

  • Rinse mushrooms and leek in cold water; drain but do not dry. (This should add enough moisture so there is no need to add water as they cook.) In a large saucepan cook mushrooms and leek, covered, over medium 10 to 15 minutes or until softened. Add broth, potatoes, and thyme. Bring to boiling. Cover and cook 35 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in freekeh; cook until heated through. Season with salt. Serve with lemon wedges. If you like, garnish with fresh thyme.
Nutritional Information:

Per serving (2⅓ cups): 231 calories, 52 g carbohydrates, 7.4 g protein, 0.8 g total fat, 0.1 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 329 mg sodium, 8.5 g fiber, 6.5 g sugar

Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.

Comments (2)

(5 from 1 vote)

Recipe Rating

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Sharon Taylor

What is Freekeh?

Barbara

this sounds like my way of eating

About the Author

Headshot of Mary Margaret Chappell

About the Author

Mary Margaret Chappell

When Mary Margaret Chappell first started out in the plant-based food world as a writer, editor, and recipe developer, she was a bacon-loving former pastry chef who didn’t think she could ever cook without butter. Fourteen years, four cookbooks, dozens of cooking classes, and hundreds of recipes later, her favorite thing in the world is sharing the tips, techniques, and recipes that show just how easy and delicious whole-food, plant-based cooking can be. The former food editor of Vegetarian Times magazine has done away with her dependency on butter and is honing her skills at baking with natural sweeteners. Chappell lives in France, where plant-based eating can often be a challenge, but the fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes available are simply amazing. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.
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