Moms Mushroom Stew Upstate New York Style Food

FRESH AND WILD MUSHROOM STEW

Steps:

• Clean mushrooms, keeping colors separate, and trim tough stems. (Save stems for stock.) Slice mushrooms about 1/8-inch thick.
• In a wide skillet, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Add onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until onion has softened and browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add 1 more tablespoon oil and turn heat to high. Add brown mushrooms, season lightly and stir-fry until nicely colored, about 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium. Add thyme, sage, red pepper and tomato paste. Add tomatoes, stir well, and cook for 1 minute. Season again with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon flour, stir to incorporate and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in reserved onions.
• Add 1 cup mushroom broth and stir until thickened, about 1 minute. Gradually add 1 more cup broth and cook for 2 minutes. Sauce should have gravy-like consistency; thin with more broth if necessary. Adjust seasoning. (May be prepared to this point several hours ahead and reheated.)
• Just before serving, put butter and 1 tablespoon olive in wide skillet over medium high heat. When butter begins to brown, add chanterelles, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for about 2 minutes, until cooked through and beginning to brown. Add garlic and parsley, stir to coat and cook 1 minute more. Add chanterelles to brown mushroom mixture and transfer to a warm serving bowl. Accompany with polenta or pasta if you wish.

UTICA MUSHROOM STEW

Steps:

• Heat a large stock pot over medium heat. Add 1 T olive oil.
• Brown the cubed pork and sliced sausage in the oil. Stir until no longer pink. Remove the browned meat and set aside for a few minutes.
• In the same pot add the garlic, onion and celery. Saute for 5 minutes until the vegetables just start to soften.
• Add the water to the stock pot and stir to deglaze. Make sure no bits of meat or vegetables are stuck on the bottom of the pot.
• Return the meat to the pan, along with the basil, oregano, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Add the two cans of tomato sauce to the pot and stir well. Bring to a boil.
• Once the pot has reached a boil add the green peppers and stir well.
• Bring back to a boil. Once the stew has reached a boil again add the mushrooms and stir well. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1-2 hours. Check the pot every half hour, stir, and make sure the stew is not sticking to the bottom. If it is too thick add another 1/2 cup of water. The stew should have a soupy consistency.
• Serve over sliced Italian bread or pasta. Top with more basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.