Mary Berry Game Soup Recipe

Rich smoked bacon and a fragrant orange-herb bouquet elevate this Mary Berry game soup to a sophisticated favorite you’ll always want at the heart of your winter lunch table. It’s delicious with crusty granary bread, a glass of full-bodied red wine, roasted root vegetables, a spoonful of crème fraîche; in fact most things.

Mary Berry Game Soup Recipe Ingredients

• 30 g (1 oz) butter
• 125 g (4 oz) smoked streaky bacon rashers, rinds removed and diced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 125 g (4 oz) chestnut mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 1.25 litres (2 pints) game stock
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp redcurrant jelly

Orange-herb bouquet:

• 6 parsley stalks
• Pared zest of 1 orange
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 large thyme or marjoram sprig

How To Make Mary Berry Game Soup Recipe

1. Prepare the aromatic bouquet: Before starting the soup, bundle the parsley stalks, pared orange zest, bay leaf, and thyme or marjoram together. Tie them securely with a piece of white kitchen string, leaving a long end. A professional trick is to tie the long end of the string to the saucepan handle, making it effortless to lift the bouquet out once the cooking is finished.
2. Crisp the bacon: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a high heat. Add the diced smoked bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes. You want the bacon to be fully rendered and beautifully crisp, as this provides the salty, smoky foundation for the entire dish.
3. Soften the onions: Turn the heat down to low and add the sliced onions to the pan with the bacon and butter. Cook them gently, stirring from time to time, for a few minutes. The goal is to get the onions soft and translucent without letting them take on any “colour” or brown edges.
4. Sauté mushrooms and thicken: Add the sliced chestnut mushrooms to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until they have softened and released their earthy juices. Sprinkle the tablespoon of plain flour over the mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to toast the flour and remove any raw taste.
5. Simmer with the bouquet: Gradually pour in the game stock while stirring to ensure a smooth consistency. Drop in the orange-herb bouquet and season the liquid with salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then cover the pan with a lid and simmer gently for 30 minutes to allow the gamey flavors to fully develop.
6. Add the sweet finish: Carefully remove and discard the herb bouquet. Stir in the redcurrant jelly until it has completely dissolved; this adds a subtle fruity sweetness that perfectly balances the rich, savory notes of the game. Give the soup a final taste for seasoning and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• The Orange Zest Secret: When paring the zest from the orange, use a vegetable peeler and try to avoid the white pith. The pith is bitter, while the orange skin contains the essential oils that provide a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the heavy game stock.
• Game Stock Quality: If you cannot find pre-made game stock, you can use a high-quality beef or dark chicken stock as a substitute. However, for the most authentic flavor, simmering down leftover bones from pheasant, partridge, or venison is highly recommended.
• Mushroom Choice: Chestnut mushrooms are preferred over white button mushrooms for this recipe because they have a lower water content and a deeper, nuttier flavor that stands up well to the smoked bacon.
• Consistent Dicing: Ensure your bacon is diced into uniform pieces. This allows the fat to render out evenly and ensures every spoonful of soup has a perfectly crispy bit of saltiness.

What To Serve With Mary Berry Game Soup Recipe?

This Mary Berry Game Soup Recipe is a robust, savory meal that needs a rustic or fresh pairing! A Chunk of Warm Granary Bread with salted butter is the classic choice for a hearty winter lunch. For a more elegant touch, a side of Roasted Root Vegetables like parsnips or carrots adds a lovely sweetness that pairs perfectly with the redcurrant jelly! A glass of Full-Bodied Shiraz or a spoonful of Crème Fraîche stirred in at the end pairs wonderfully with the smoky bacon and herb notes.

How To Store Mary Berry Game Soup Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors of the smoked bacon and game stock often intensify and improve after a night in the fridge.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan over a medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid a rolling boil once the jelly has been added to maintain the clarity of flavor.
• Freeze: This soup freezes exceptionally well for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. You may need to add a small splash of water or stock if it has thickened too much during the freezing process.

Mary Berry Game Soup Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 245 kcal (per serving)
• Total Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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