Description
Polish comfort calls this hearty mushroom stew a winter’s embrace of earthy flavors. Woodland mushrooms simmer with aromatic herbs, creating a soul-warming dish you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (950 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
- 500 grams (17.6 oz) mixed fresh mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, button)
- 2 medium yellow onions, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsps fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- Olive oil for sauteing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a spacious pot over medium temperature, gently sautéing diced onions until they become transparent and soft, releasing their subtle sweetness (approximately 5 minutes).
- Introduce minced garlic to the pot, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom and permeate the mixture for a brief moment (around 1 minute).
- Incorporate sliced mushrooms, seasoning with a delicate sprinkle of salt, and allow them to caramelize and tenderize, developing rich, deep flavors while releasing their natural moisture (8-10 minutes).
- Carefully pour vegetable broth into the pot, complementing the mixture with fragrant thyme, then reduce heat to create a gentle simmer that will meld the ingredients together.
- Let the stew develop its complex profile by simmering uncovered, allowing the liquid to slightly reduce and concentrate the flavors (approximately 25 minutes).
- Taste and refine the seasoning, ensuring a harmonious balance of salt and herbs that enhances the earthy mushroom profile.
- Serve the stew hot, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley to add a bright, herbaceous note that contrasts with the rich, warm base.
Notes
- Choose hearty, meaty mushrooms like portobello or shiitake for a rich, robust flavor profile that elevates the stew’s depth and texture.
- Consider adding a splash of red wine during sautéing to enhance the umami and create a more complex taste experience for mushroom lovers.
- Keep the heat at medium to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization of mushrooms, which develops a deeper, more concentrated flavor.
- For a protein-packed vegetarian version, stir in cubed tofu or tempeh during the last 10 minutes of cooking to create a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg