Slow Cooker Cream of Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups sliced mushrooms (about 24 oz.)
• 1 package (32 oz.) vegetable broth
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse ground pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion and garlic. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until onions are clear.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until tender. Add wine and cook 2 minutes.
3. Transfer mixture to slow cooker crock. Add vegetable broth, tarragon, salt and pepper.
4. Cover slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or LOW for 3 to 4 hours.
5. In a small bowl, whisk cream and cornstarch until smooth. During last 30 minutes, stir cream mixture into soup in crock. Stir until smooth. If using LOW heat, turn to HIGH. Cover and cook until thickened.
6. Remove half of soup mixture with sliced mushrooms. Transfer remaining mixture to a blender or use a hand blender to blend mixture in crock until somewhat smooth. Combine with reserved mushroom soup mixture and serve.

Serves: 6-8

Test Kitchen Tips:

• If you have a slow cooker with stove-top safe cookware, substitute the cookware for the skillet in the directions above. After  sautéing, place cookware in base, cover and cook as directed in recipe.
• When blending hot liquids, remove the filler-cap in a two-piece lid and close any lid openings along the edge intended for pouring. Do not fill the blender more than half full. Hot liquids may push off the lid during blending. With the protection of an oven mitt or thick towel, place one hand on top of the lid, keep exposed skin away from the lid, and start blending at the lowest speed.