How to cook a vegan champignon soup with pearl millet in the Russian way (RECIPE)

Mushroom soup is probably in the top three favorite dishes among Russians. There are many different recipes, including summer soups made from fresh porcini mushrooms and soups made from dried mushrooms. In the olden days, the forest was exclusively the source of mushrooms. Now, there is a wide choice of greenhouse mushrooms, such as champignons, oyster mushrooms or shiitake. 

It is said that champignons used to be regarded with suspicion in Russia. Perhaps this is because they grew in the wild, often in places where food waste was discarded. Also, it was believed that the champignon was not a forest mushroom, and therefore had no soul. 

Russians called the champignon "pechurka" because its white round cap resembled an ancient type of wood-burning oven. However, in some regions champignons were farmed even before the 1917 Revolution.

Efim Grachev, who lived in the Rostov region in the south of Russia, was one of the first who saw in champignons a potential not only in terms of gastronomy, but also in terms of business. He became the most successful horticulturist and entrepreneur of his era by cultivating greenhouse mushrooms and vegetables. 

Born into a simple peasant family, he was familiar with the processes of agriculture from childhood. Having gathered some funds in 1848, he organized the production of mushrooms, asparagus and vegetables near St. Petersburg. 

He pioneered a technology that allowed him to grow mushrooms all year round in greenhouses, with 400 mushrooms in one bush. Grachev was respected in Russia and internationally recognized, and eventually was named a member of the Paris Academy of Agriculture. He generously shared his innovative mushroom cultivation methods and regularly published articles in agricultural journals. His techniques can still be applied today. March 29 is even celebrated as Champignon Day in Russia in honor of Grachev's birthday. 

We suggest celebrating this day with champignon soup that was popular during Grachev’s lifetime. This is especially relevant during Lent. Sour cream is a frequent companion to mushrooms in soups, but you can also make a vegan version that is delicious and hearty. The soup turns out quite nourishing because of the use of pearl millet and potatoes as ingredients. 

Champignons are not as strongly flavored as wild mushrooms. Nevertheless, the soup is fragrant due to the special roasting of vegetables with champignons that are cooked separately, and not placed directly in the water. Also, the fresh herbs and spices enrich its flavor even more.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• Champignons - 250 g
• Pearl or spelt groats - 100 g
• Potatoes - 3 units
• Carrots - 1/2 pc
• Onions - 1/2 pc
• Water - 1.3 - 1.5 l
• Laurel leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs 

Preparation:

1. Peel the onion and carrot, cut into cubes and fry in oil until soft. Place into a separate bowl.

2. Wash, dry, chop the champignons and fry in oil in the same pan with carrots and onions.

3. Pour water over pearl barley, add spices, salt, pepper and put on the stove. Grits come in different treatments. Follow the instructions on your package to prepare for the soup. Mine was quick-cooking.

4. Peel potatoes, cut them into julienne strips.

5. Add the potatoes to the grits 15 minutes before the pearl barley is ready.

6. When the potatoes are almost ready (in 10 minutes), add the roasted carrots and mushrooms. Allow the soup to simmer until all the ingredients are cooked.

7. Remove the soup from the stove. Add greens.

8. Serve hot with rye bread.

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