If this dairy-free mushroom soup with truffle croutons can convert my stepson from hating mushrooms to asking me for the recipe, it might just be the BEST mushroom soup out there!

THIS ISN’T ASPARAGUS SOUP

“Mmm. Sont bon les croutons.”

I couldn’t believe it.

Mathéo, my stepson, had just tasted the truffle croutons that had come out of the oven declaring that he loved them.

He didn’t know they were covered in a mushroom truffle spread and I said nothing.

The mushroom soup was nearly ready. Just as I finished blending the contents, Mathéo turned to me and asked:

“C’est une soupe aux asperges?” (It’s asparagus soup?)

“Oui.”

I said yes without blinking an eye despite feeling guilty for lying. But I thought perhaps he might like this soup if he liked the croutons…

He had tried my mom’s mushroom muffins in the past and liked them, until finding out they had mushrooms in them.

I’ve snuck zucchinis in countless spaghetti sauces without him knowing and he’s been enjoying the banana carrot zucchini muffins I’ve been baking.

So I went ahead adding to my attempts of preparing veggies he doesn’t like in new ways that might just show him just how delicious they really are. When prepared with love.

I USED TO HATE MUSHROOMS WITH A PASSION

But I get it. I hated mushrooms growing up. I’d pick them off my plate and looked at them as if they were toxic, I suppose there might some evolutionary response at play here but needless to say, I found them, gross.

Until I didn’t.

I discovered the marvel that are mushrooms and love them on pizza, in pasta, in a soup, muffins, as a spread, or simply sautéed on their own.

When the relationship from disgust to salivation began, I do not remember. But it sure as hell wasn’t due to a dairy-free mushroom soup with truffle croutons. Although I now wish it was.

MUSHROOMS IN PLAIN SIGHT

I couldn’t believe that Mathéo had not noticed the 3 pints of mushrooms I had washed and sliced in front of him earlier.

There were no asparagus in the house.

But I suppose he was caught up playing with his sister that he didn’t need to notice what I was preparing for lunch. I love how they play together, he is a wonderful big brother.

As we all sat down in front of our soup bowls, I watched Mathéo as he took his first bite. And then his second, third, and on and on.

SO GOOD YOU’LL WANT A SECOND BOWL!

“Elle est bonne la soupe?” (The soup is good, isn’t it?) Asked his dad, smirking.

“Mmm mmm” Mathéo replied as another spoonful entered his mouth.

“En aimerais-tu d’autre?” (Would you like some more?” I asked.

There was a resounding yes.

Wow.

I could hardly contain myself.

THIS IS DAIRY-FREE MUSHROOM SOUP WITH TRUFFLE CROUTONS

Once we had finished enjoying each mouthful, I looked at Mathéo and said: “J’ai quelques chose à te dire.” (I have something to tell you.)

He looked at me with his big brown eyes and long eyelashes many pay a lot of money for!

“Mais avant que je te le dise, as-tu aimé la soupe?”

“Oui.” (Yes.)

“Ok. Je t’ai compté un mensonge. La soupe n’est pas aux asperges.” (Ok. I told you a lie. This wasn’t asparagus soup.)

He turned and looked at his father who was smiling.

“C’est une soupe aux champignons.” (It’s mushroom soup)

He had a look of surprise but no sign of regret. I asked him if he forgave me for telling a lie and he graciously said yes.

I felt gitty. Might have I started the process of converting Mathéo to a mushroom lover?

TODDLER APPROVED

Alicia loves soup. She tends to have second helpings however Alicia wasn’t convinced when trying this mushroom soup. She took one bite and shivered with disgust. Message understood, for the day at least.

I warmed up some leftover soup the next day. Alicia came crawling up on my lap and took a bite.

I ended up warming up three small bowls of soup for her.

Another WOW moment.

Was it possible that my daughter would also be a mushroom lover?

YOUR FRIENDS AND THEIR MOTHERS WILL WANT THIS RECIPE

Her brother was going back to his mom’s later on in the afternoon. That evening, I received a text message from her:

“Salut!!! Mathéo a une demande: la recette du pain et la soupe aux champignons 😳 ” (Hi!!! Mathéo has a request: the recipe for the bread and the mushroom soup 😳)

I laughed in disbelief and content.

It brings me great joy seeing my stepson not only enjoy food but also be interested in learning how to prepare food. Earlier that week I had guided him and his dad in making their first loaves of bread using this simple recipe.

He was so proud and the bread was so good.

Fresh bread and mushroom soup sounds like a great pairing!

TIPS & MODIFICATIONS

Choose your mushrooms with care. I went with Cremini but you could mix it up. Shitake would have been great in this soup!

Use leftover bread for your croutons. I love this bread sprouted-grain loaf from Première Moisson. You can find it in Metro grocery stores or at a Première Moisson bakery near you! It is perfect for a sandwich and to make truffle croutons!

3 OF MY FAVOURITE QUÉBEC MADE PRODUCTS

Herbes Salées du Bas du Fleuve: I cannot sing the praise of these salted herbs enough! I grew up with my mom adding these to our omelettes and cooking would not be the same without them. I highly recommend that you start incorporating these into your cooking. And if you aren’t in Québec, come visit and take some home with you (along with tons of maple syrup!)

Renato’s Minced Garlic: Finding local fresh garlic in winter is hard to come by. So when I discovered Renato’s Minced Garlic, I was sold. And have been using their products for a while now. I love their minced ginger too!

Favuzzi Mushroom & Truffle Spread: Wow. This spread is amazing in anything that requires mushrooms! Pasta, pizza, and these croutons. Truffle can have a strong taste, so I always use in small quantities. Adjust to your liking.

But if truffle isn’t your thing or you don’t have any on hand, I’ve got you covered below!

SKIP THE TRUFFLE

If you’re not a fan of truffle or don’t have this truffle spread on hand, you can skip it altogether or use something else, like oregano.

Add 1/2 tsp of oregano to your crouton mix instead! (Or skip this too! Olive oil, salt, and pepper are more than enough!)

THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT

Is always love. So put on some music, get in the mood, and start washing those mushrooms with all the love you can muster!

Your guests will taste it.

Bon appétit!

With love & light,

Mélissa