Kartupeļu Sēņu Zupa (Latvian Potato and Mushroom Soup)
A hearty and comforting soup, this Latvian classic combines the earthiness of wild mushrooms with the creaminess of potatoes and the savory depth of bacon. It's a staple during mushroom foraging season and a perfect dish for a cold day.
🧂 Ingredients
- 25 g Dried porcini mushrooms(or 1 lb mixed fresh wild mushrooms)
- 1 cup Warm water(for soaking dried mushrooms)
- 4 cups Water(for the soup base)
- 4 medium Medium potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 1 small Small onion(finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp Oil(vegetable or olive oil)
- 3 slices Streaky bacon(finely chopped)
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
- Fresh dill(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
If using dried mushrooms, place them in a bowl with 1 cup of warm water and let soak for 30 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid, and finely chop the mushrooms.
- 2
In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Add the fresh mushrooms (if using) and the rehydrated, chopped mushrooms to the pan with the onions. Cook for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- 4
In a separate pan, fry the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
- 5
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the cubed potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- 6
Add the sautéed mushroom and onion mixture to the pot with the potatoes. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- 7
Stir in the heavy cream and bring the soup just to a boil. Add the cooked bacon bits.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to over-boil after adding cream. - 8
Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning carefully. - 9
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped dill.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using wild mushrooms will provide the most authentic and intense flavor.
- ✓If you can't find dried porcini, a mix of other dried mushrooms will work.
- ✓For a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of paprika for color and subtle flavor.
- Some recipes include a tablespoon of white wine when sautéing the mushrooms.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche.