Serves: 4
Total Calories: 132

1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1 cup hot water
3 medium potatoes scrubbed and diced
1 (7 1/2-ounce) jar whole chestnuts*
2 1/2 cups water or unsalted vegetable broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup sesame tahini or to taste
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon white pepper or to taste
minced fresh parsley

* Use jarred chestnuts. Dried chestnuts are too hard and take longer to cook.
1. Place the porcini in a bowl, cover with the hot water, and let soak about 30 minutes.
2. While the mushrooms are soaking, place the potatoes, chestnuts, and water in a large heavy kettle over high heat. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until the potatoes and chestnuts are soft.
3. While the chestnuts and potatoes are cooking, heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and sauté 3 to 4 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and saute a few minutes more.
4. Drain the soaked mushrooms (I use a paper coffee filter), reserving the soaking water. Rinse the mushrooms and coarsely chop. Add them to the skillet, saute 1 or 2 minutes, then add the reserved soaking water. Cover and simmer another 5 minutes.
5. Place the cooked potato-chestnut mixture in a blender and puree. Return it to the kettle along with the sautéed onion-mushroom mixture.
6. Stir the tamari, thyme, and pepper into the soup. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 4
Total Calories: 132
Calories from Fat: 60

More Recipes from the Vicki's Vegan Kitchen Cookbook:
Soup Making Tips
Sprouted Pea Soup
Lentil Soup
Baby Lima Bean Soup
Kale, Cabbage, and White Bean Soup
Great Garnishes
Masoor Kidal
Tuscan White Bean Soup
New Brunswick Chowder
Carrot and Rice Cream
Potato Kale Soup
Potage Of Cauliflower and Leek
Cream of Three Mushroom Soup
Under Pressure Cream of Broccoli
Grandma's Potato Soup
Summer Squash and Coconut Curry Soup
Chestnut Porcini Bisque
Simple Ideas for Filling Your Lunchbox
Soupe Provencal (Garlic Soup)
Earsly Spring Miso Soup
Emerald Miso Soup
Southwestern Tomato Squash Soup
Greens and Rice Soup
Ruby Red Borscht
My Best Summer Vegetable Soup
Tofu Dumplings
Creamy Pine Nut Gazpacho
Avocado Vichyssoise
Gazpacho Supreme
Don't Get Stick in a Sliced Bread Rut
Sandwiches
Avocados Rule!
Vegan Cheese Please
Seitan Subterfuge
Veggie Delights
Spread That Bread!
There's Is No Fu Like a Tofu
Beans to the Rescue
Create a Wrap