Tasty Tuesdays

Good afternoon!  It's a bright and sunny day today and I am feeling like spring might be on the way!  We still have snow, but are able to see the ground in places now. 

Since the snow is almost gone, I thought I'd take this opportunity to make one of my family's favorite "winter" lunches, Cream of Mushroom soup.  Since I made it for lunch, I'll share the recipe with you as well.  

Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced (I use 2 cups)
2 tbsp. butter (I used unsalted)
3 cups chicken stock
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. onion, chopped
2 tbsp. flour
1/2 c. cream (I use half and half)
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg OR 1/4 tsp. thyme (I use thyme)

Slice mushrooms through cap and stem.  Cook mushrooms with onion in butter for 5 minutes.  Blend in flour, add stock.  Cook and stir until slightly thickened.  Cool slightly, add cream and seasonings.  To serve, heat to just below boiling point. 
*I use extra mushrooms because 1 cup doesn't seem like very many.  My husband likes a "heartier" soup, so this gives it more substance.  I also use unsalted butter because I find when using salted butter it is just too salty.  Now that my family has grown from just hubby and I, I always made a double batch of the soup.

I serve this sandwich with a sandwich or tossed salad.  Today, I am made turkey/apple/cheddar Panini's.  The first time I ever tried this combination was at a lunch bistro and I was amazed by how great it was!  I spread garlic aoli on ciabatta bread, then topped with sliced apples (skins removed), cheddar cheese, and turkey breast.  Enjoy!!

I found this recipe in a local family cookbook and have adapted it to my liking.

Question of the day: What food combination have you tried that was surprisingly good?