Preparation:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients Start by washing and slicing the mushrooms into thin pieces. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. If using fresh thyme, remove the leaves from the stems. Set all the ingredients aside so they are ready for cooking.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Garlic In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

Step 3: Cook the Mushrooms Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot, along with the thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the mushrooms with the seasonings. Sauté the mushrooms for about 8–10 minutes, or until they have released their moisture and become golden brown. The mushrooms will shrink and shrink during this time, so don’t be alarmed.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pot If you’re using white wine, pour it in now to deglaze the pot. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Allow the wine to cook for about 2 minutes, or until the alcohol has mostly evaporated.

Step 5: Add Broth and Simmer Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow the soup to simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, letting the flavors meld together and the mushrooms become even more tender.

Step 6: Blend the Soup After simmering, use an immersion blender to purée the soup directly in the pot, or transfer the soup in batches to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can blend only part of the soup and leave some mushrooms whole.

Step 7: Add Cream and Thicken (Optional) If you want a richer and creamier texture, add the heavy cream or half-and-half. Stir it in and let it heat through. For an extra thick consistency, you can mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a little cold broth and add it to the soup, cooking for 3-5 minutes to thicken.

Step 8: Final Seasoning and Adjustments Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or fresh herbs. If you like a little tang, add a few drops of lemon juice to balance out the richness of the cream.