Today we are traveling to Central Europe to Czech Republic for some Czech cuisine. Czech Republic was formed in 1993 when Czechoslovakia dissolved into Czech Republic and Slovakia. For the taste of Czech food, I chose a soup that is prepared with mushrooms, onion and bacon. I do not know why it is called Hunter's soup. It is a classic Czech soup and we liked the taste. This can be served as a starter or as a light meal with some bread. I had served mine for main course on a day when both of us wanted a light dinner.

The recipe called for heavy cream and I used fat free milk instead. The recipe also called for cooking wine or red wine and I substituted it with some water.
Adapted from: here & here
Total Time: 25 – 35 minutes
Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 – 30 minutes
Serves: 3 - 6
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. Oil
- 1 cup chopped Onion / ½ large Onion chopped
- 6 strips of Bacon chopped (Easiest way to chop bacon was with a kitchen shears)
- 10 oz. Mushrooms sliced
- ¼ c All Purpose Flour (approx. 3-4 tbsp.)
- 5 cups Water
- 3 small cubes of Chicken Bouillon or flavor of choice
- ¼ cup ~ 4 tbsp. Heavy whipping Cream (I used fat free milk)
- ¾ cup Cooking Wine or Red Wine or substitute with water (I used ¼ cup water)
- ¼ - ½ tsp. Salt (adjust to taste and mind you bacon is salty)
- ¼ - ½ tsp. Black Pepper Powder (adjust to taste)
- Parsley to garnish (opt)
Preparation:
- Heat oil in a sauce pan and fry chopped bacon for 3-4 minutes until the bacon is light brown.
- Add onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add mushrooms and fry for 3-5 minutes until tender.
- Add flour and fry for couple of minutes until it is light brown. Keep stirring to prevent flour from burning and sticking to the pan.
- Add water and bring it to a boil. Add bouillon cubes and mix until it dissolves into the soup.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add milk or whipping cream and give it quick stir.
- Add salt, pepper and wine if using and mix well. I used water instead of wine.
- Simmer for another 5- 10 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot. Can be garnish with parsley.
Note:
- I used water and bouillon cubes. Water & bouillon can be substituted with stock.
themadscientistskitchen says
Wow what a yummy soup. i loved the way you have presented it Usha. My bacon will get substituted the wine will give it a great flavour. Will wait for some days before I try it out.:D
Ammaji Kitchen{Sree} (@sreevallie) says
Lovely presentation & sure the would have been flavorful.
Kalyani says
wintery comfort !! such a yummy bowl of soup...
Priya Srinivasan says
Hearty & Warm bowl of richness there!!! Loved that design on the bowl usha!!! Simple & Elegant!!!
Pradnya says
the color is so beautiful...it is meant for a rainy day...
Padma Rekha says
I can make this with out bacon looks creamy and filling nice choice for the day.
PJ says
This soup was my first choice for this country but then chose another one. Mushroom soup looks so good Usha...
Harini says
Hearty soup and I would substitute the bacon with Tofu.
Chef Mireille says
what a great soup to have on a cold winter night
Manjul bharath says
wow fantastic soup there name is itself very interesting 🙂 love those moody pictures dear 🙂 perfect for cold days !!
cookingwithsapana says
Very rich and hearty soup , must have tasted awesome. My husband loves mushrooms a lot , will try for him.
Pavani says
That looks like a very creamy and comforting soup.
Priya says
Soup looks simply fabulous, quite filling, love the dull light of ur picture, sooo natural.
Srivalli says
Very nicely presented pictures Usha, must have been so filling!
Suma Gandlur says
I guess this would be a great soup without bacon too.
Varada says
Really rich recipe. I like the way you lightened it. Picture is great