By Martha Rose Shulman
- Total Time
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Rating
- 4(1,421)
- Notes
- Read community notes
I like to use this as a gravy at Thanksgiving, instead of actual gravy, but that is far from its only use. I serve it on its own, as a side dish, as the base for a risotto and a filling for a pie, taco and quesadilla, as a sauce for pasta and an omelet filling. You can make it with all wild mushrooms for a splurge, with some wild mushrooms, or with a mix of cultivated oyster mushrooms (much less expensive than wild mushrooms like chanterelles) and button or creminis. Make this big batch and use it for lots of other dishes throughout the week.
Featured in: One Mushroom Ragoût, Five Meals
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Ingredients
Yield:6 to 8 servings
- 1ounce (about 1 cup) dried mushrooms, preferably porcinis
- 2tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2shallots or ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 2garlic cloves, minced
- 1pound white or cremini mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and quartered or sliced ½ inch thick
- 1pound wild mushrooms, trimmed and brushed clean, or oyster mushrooms, trimmed and torn into pieces if very large
- Salt to taste
- 2teaspoons all-purpose flour
- ½cup dry white wine such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio
- 2teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 to 4tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)
93 calories; 4 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 357 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
Step
1
Place the dried mushrooms in a pyrex measuring cup or a bowl and pour on 2 cups boiling water. Let soak 30 minutes, while you prepare the other ingredients. Place a strainer over a bowl, line it with cheesecloth or paper towels, and drain the mushrooms. Save the liquid. Squeeze the mushrooms over the strainer and rinse until they are free of sand. Chop coarsely.
Step
2
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet or a wide saucepan and add the shallots or onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, stir together for about 30 seconds, until fragrant, then add the fresh mushrooms, rosemary and thyme, and turn up the heat slightly. Cook until the mushrooms begin to sweat, then add a generous pinch of salt. Stir for about 5 minutes over medium-high heat as the mushrooms continue to soften and sweat. Add the flour and continue to cook the mushrooms, stirring, until they have softened a little more and you can no longer see the flour, about 2 minutes. Add the reconstituted dried mushrooms and the wine and turn the heat to high. Cook, stirring, until the liquid boils down and glazes the mushrooms, about 5 minutes. Stir in the dried mushroom soaking liquid, bring to a simmer, add salt to taste, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the mushrooms are thoroughly tender and fragrant and the surrounding broth is thick, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in some freshly ground pepper and the parsley, taste and adjust salt.
Tips
- Advance preparation: The ragoût can be made up to 3 or 4 days before you wish to serve it. Keep in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on top of the stove.
- You may omit the flour if you cannot tolerate gluten. The sauce will not be as gravy-like.
Ratings
4
out of 5
1,421
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Cooking Notes
Rob-in-Philly
FLAVOR ALERT...note some people are saying this is rather bland, I always, caramelize 1/2 of the fresh mushrooms first and build a fond on the pan then proceed from there.
perryan
I, too, noted the lack of complex flavor, but after a few days in the refrigerator, the flavors matured and the herb notes became more pronounced. Perhaps making this a few days in advance of serving would produce a more rounded ragout.
Nancy
I love mushrooms and this dish was great, for me. I followed the recipe and it turned out well. I left it covered for about 15 minutes while I did last minute prep for other dishes, with no issues. I agree with Lori that it could use more herbs. I served it with microwave soft polenta (another M.R. Shulman recipe) and some parmesan reggiano. I am amazed at the depth of flavor and richness in this dish considering it has only 2 tablespoons of oil. A wonderful recipe!!
JKL
Just a note, in Step 1 I think it should say to save the dried mushroom soaking liquid, as it's called for in Step 2.
patriciachamoy
Instead of red wine, I use sherry. Then a very little bit of shoyu, for umami. It is remarkable.
Samir
After reading the reviews, I knew I had to amp flavor. I added a tbsp of tomato paste for umami, and used broth when reconstituting the mushrooms. Also doubled the amount of thyme and rosemary.
Creating a fond in the pan was also very helpful. I dry-seared the sliced creminis until they started giving up some of their liquid. Removed and added olive oil, to create a creamy, flavorful pan sauce, to which I added my shallots and garlic. Came out rather well.
Kim
I made this years ago using fresh sh*taki mushrooms, red wine, and more rosemary as you suggested. The red brings out more of the wild mushroom flavors.
Olivia Jennings
I've made this and loved it. My question is, can it be frozen? I'm cooking in advance for family, who will descend on us in about 10 days.
Thanks!
India
Forget the dried mushrooms! Use a bit of Minor's Demi Glace for extra flavor, and add left over bits and pieces from a roast chicken (great use for wings and legs) to add a bit more flavor.
If calories are not a huge problem, add a bit of heavy cream at the end. Serve over a toasted English Muffin and one has a delicious, quick dinner!
Suzanne
Very tasty and versatile. I used fresh shiitakes and dried oyster mushrooms from my local mushroom farm along with store bought organic creminis. I probably added more shallots using up what I had on hand. I didn't have fresh herbs so I ground a generous amount of dried herbs de provence -- and then added extra chopped parsley to make up for the lack of other fresh herbs. The result had plenty of flavor!
Munjoy fan
I make this with red wine instead of white-red wine and mushrooms are a magic combo. Also, my Italian grocery sells big bags of dried wild mushrooms--much less expensive. Finally, I add a tablespoon of cream at the end. Served over a piece of toast as an open sandwich it makes a divine meal, especially with a small green salad on the side.
Kathy
The fresh herbs definitely increase the earthy flavor. I tend to add more than called for, especially the rosemary. It does improve with a day in the refrigerator but is very good right out of the pan also.
Beth Arnold
After a few days in the refrigerator, the flavors matured & the herb notes became more pronounced. Making this a few days in advance of serving will produce a more rounded ragout.
Great! I followed the recipe & it turned out well. I left it covered for about 15 minutes while I did last minute prep for other dishes, with no issues. It could use more herbs. I served it with microwave soft polenta & some parmesan reggiano. I am amazed at the depth of flavor & richness in this dish.
OldMyke
Had 1/3 of a 2 lb basket of white mushrooms from the reduced table that my wife bought. Jacques Pepin was right. "Old mushrooms develop more flavor... Don't throw them out".
Used herbs de provence (no rosemary) and red wine... Guess what! Absolutely yummy and just like the simple sauteed mushroom I've been making for years to serve with steak.....
Emily
After reading others’ notes, I took a few extra measures to ensure non-blandness: I subbed in shallot confit for the raw shallots, I soaked the porcini in broth instead of water, and I added 2 T. of tomato paste right before the wine. I also increased the rosemary and thyme a bit. The resulting dish was an umami explosion with great depth of flavor and silkiness. I did need and add a little more liquid overall, both when I added the soaking liquid to the pan and when I added the wine.
SEB
I combined this recipe with Nigella Lawson recipeUsed dry sherry and chicken broth.
TanteStacey
A friend gifted me a crate of baby bell mushrooms. I made this again, along with other dishes. This is awesome. The 2nd time I left out the flour and only used one type of mushroom. But man, is this good. I’ll have it for breakfast on toast. Yummmmmmm
Sissy
Before I sauté mushrooms I always drizzle and toss them with a bit of soy sauce and Asian sesame oil. It really boosts the flavor.
MHK
Omg. I could swim in this. So delicious!!
Ann
My dried mushrooms are always chewy even after soaking. I just use fresh; mushroom broth can stand in for the soaking water if needed.
Philip
I substituted 4TB of balsamic vinegar for the white wine. Added nice tone of acidity and was perfect in the mushroom tart.
Lola
What a fantastic recipe! I added in some wild rice and have been using this for everything from pancakes to Omelette stuffing to a side dish with meat. Highly recommend trying this recipe. It's going to become a stable in my kitchen.
Regina
Has anyone frozen leftovers of this dish? Results?
Sue
We grew oyster mushrooms and made this with our first harvest. It was delicious. The only thing I did differently was add a squeeze of lemon before serving. Served it over creamy polenta.
phoebe in MB
Per the ATK method I microwaved the fresh chopped mushrooms 6 mins on high, stirring twice, then strained the juice. Dry sautéed them then caramelized some tomato paste before adding oil and aromatics. Used juice instead of broth. Created deep flavor.
Mirucha
I used no dried mushrooms. My previous experience with dried mushrooms is that the flavor mostly seeps into the reconstituting water, and the reconstituted mushrooms are on the tough side, I didn't want to risk a flavorless product at a holiday meal. I used mostly cremini and portobello.
John L. Ghertner
With a plethora of shiitake mushrooms from my own mushroom logs, we make something similar to this regularly. I use a big handful of dried mushrooms, chopped up fine and add it as a powder with some small chunks to whatever I am making. No time soaking needed and it leaves a more robust mushroom flavor. We use a similar recipe on polenta, in a tomato sauce for everything, in tacos, with potatoes…. Also a lot of thyme alone really makes it special.
CP
Changed a couple of things thanx to the suggestions below - used a combo of Maitake & crimini mushrooms (plus dried porcini), added a little more rosemary & thyme, added a veggie broth "dadi" in the dried mushroom soaking water, used red wine instead of white, and added a Tblsp of tomato paste. Came out GREAT! Served it over hot polenta. Added a green salad and made a perfect dinner!
Bibi
I made this ragout for the recommended tart this summer and it came out excellent. Next up: add to my traditional red stew recipe ... I think it will serve as a great base. I have herbs from the college gardens! Sage!
Carswell
I find reconstituted mushrooms rubbery - I prefer to grind them to a powder and add them to the dish when other liquid goes in.
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