The mushroom stew is a traditional dish much loved in Italy, especially during the colder months. This dish combines the tenderness of the meat with the rich and earthy flavor of mushrooms, creating a perfect comfort food for family dinners.
The recipe involves pieces of beef or veal slowly cooked together with fresh or dried mushrooms in a tasty sauce.
In fact, the mushrooms give the stew a delicious earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the softness of the meat.
Here is a recipe to prepare this dish in a simple and delicious way:
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
Ingredients for mushroom stew
- 1.75 lbs beef (chuck or stew meat cubes)
- 14 oz honey mushrooms (or mixed dried mushrooms)
- 2.1 cups beef broth
- 0.4 cups dry white wine
- 3.5 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
- 1 tbsp rosemary
- 0.5 cups flour
- 2 pinches salt
- 2 pinches black pepper
- 0.7 oz thyme
- 1 leaf bay leaf
Tools
- 1 Pan
Preparation of mushroom stew
1-Brown the meat: In a large pot, brown the floured pieces of meat with a bit of extra virgin olive oil until golden brown. Set aside.
2-If you’re using dried mushrooms, soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes. Then, drain and slice them.
3-When the garlic begins to sizzle, add the mushrooms and let them wilt for 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove them and set them aside temporarily.
4-Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and carrot, and fry with the remaining butter in the same pan until the onion becomes translucent.
5-Return the pan to the heat. Deglaze the meat with the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
6-Add the fresh mushrooms (or rehydrated dried ones) and tomato paste. Mix well and add enough beef broth or hot water to cover the ingredients.
7-Season with salt and pepper and add a bay leaf. Cover and let simmer on low heat for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the sauce thickened.
Check occasionally to ensure it doesn’t dry out too much, adding more broth as needed.
Stir often to prevent sticking to the pot bottom.
8-When the meat is tender, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve very hot.
Once cooked, adjust with salt and pepper, add chopped parsley, and serve hot, accompanied by soft polenta or roasted potatoes.
How to store mushroom stew
You can store the mushroom stew in the refrigerator for 2 days in an airtight container.
You can also freeze it.
Tuscany: In Tuscany, it’s common to prepare wild boar stew with porcini mushrooms, a rich and flavorful dish often served with polenta
Lombardy: In Lombardy, stew is often served with polenta, creating a complete and hearty dish
This dish is perfect for being prepared in advance and reheated when serving, retaining all its flavor and texture.
A unique and hearty dish, perfect for gatherings with family or friends, accompanied by a good red wine.
