Light Tomato and Mushroom bisque with Northern Beans and Cheese Tortellini

Light Tomato and Mushroom Bisque GONE stew with..... Northern Beans and Cheese Tortellini

I started out with the intention of making Tomato Bisque with mushrooms.........and then I thought I would add some northern beans, and before I knew it I had to add cheese tortellini,,,,so,,,,soup?  or stew?  I guess I would call it how you see it, but, one thing for sure, It is delicious and hearty enough to be a meal with a salad!

You could just make the tomato bisque part alone too,,,just leave out the mushrooms, beans and tortellini!  Up to your taste to add and or subtract what you and your family like.  This is a great winter dish, give it a tasty try!

Ingredients:

1lb. crimini mushrooms chopped to 1 in. pieces or medium slices
1/2 lb white mushrooms chopped same.
1 whole large onion chopped
3T. minced garlic from the jar or 2T. fresh sliced garlic
1 28 oz. can peeled San Marzan tomatoes
1 32 oz. box chicken stock or broth
6 oz. dry tortellini cooked
1 can northern beans, drained and rinsed well
2T. butter, plus 2T. olive oil
1c. 1/3 less fat cream cheese( or whole cream cheese if you are not concerned about calories)
1/2c. skim milk (or cream if you don't mind the calories)
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1T. oregano
1t. basil
crushed red pepper to taste
Salt and Pepper

In large pot add butter and olive oil and heat on medium high heat for a saute. Add onions, salt and pepper them to taste and to pull out the flavors.  Add mushrooms and cook all together until tender.  Now add garlic, tomatoes, breaking them up rustically as you put them in the pot.  Add chicken stock, oregano, basil, red pepper and salt and pepper to taste ( make sure you taste to see if it is the right amount) and cook for 15 min. bringing all the flavors together stirring occasionally.

Now, add your milk, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese.  Stir together well.  Continue to cook for 30 minutes. I am a true believer that soup needs time to mesh all ingredients together to get a great flavor.  That lends itself to when everyone says, " Everything tastes better the next day"...that is because everything had time to marry together!

Finally add the cooked tortellini and beans that are drained and rinsed well.  Heat together for 5 minutes and you can serve!  I like to add a little extra Parmesan on top as a garnish!  Bon Appetito!