Mushroom Ragoût With Paprika Food

MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat the oil. When almost smoking, add the onions and garlic over medium-low heat until the onions have wilted, about 8 minutes. Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Raise heat to high and saute until mushrooms are tender and all the liquid has evaporated. Remove pan from heat and pour in Marsala. Return pan to stove and allow wine to evaporate, about 3 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer for 1/2 hour until the sauce has reduced by half. Add heavy cream and mix well. Take the pan off the heat and add the fresh herbs and Parmesan and mix thoroughly.

MUSHROOM RAGOûT

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.

CREAMY POLENTA & MUSHROOM RAGOUT

Steps:

• Soak the dried mushrooms in 150ml warm water. Set aside for 20 mins, then drain and squeeze, reserving the soaking liquid. Heat the butter in a large frying pan. When sizzling, add the shallot and cook for a few mins until soft. Add the garlic and thyme leaves, cook for 1 min more, then turn up the heat and add the soaked mushrooms. After 1 min, add all the other mushrooms and fry over a very high heat for 5 mins until soft. Splash in the red wine and boil rapidly for 1 min. Pour in the stock and reserved mushroom liquid, and simmer for 15 mins until you have a thickened stew. Turn off the heat.
• For the polenta, bring the milk to the boil with 500ml water, the bay and thyme. Turn off the heat and leave to infuse for 20 mins, then fish out the herbs and bring back to the boil. Add the polenta in a steady stream, whisking steadily. Cook for 1 min until thickened, then stir in the butter and Parmesan. Spoon a 'crater' of polenta onto a baking tray and fill with the ragout. Top with slices of Taleggio, place under a hot grill until melting and oozy, then let everyone help themselves.

MUSHROOMS PAPRIKASH

Steps:

• Heat a large sauté pan or wok, add the caraway seeds and lightly toast over the heat for a few seconds. Add the oil, then tip in the onion, mushrooms and pepper, and season well (salt will help draw the moisture from the mushrooms). Cook, stirring frequently, for about 6-8 mins until the vegetables are softened and the onion is starting to turn golden.
• Stir the paprika into the vegetables, tip in the tomatoes, stock and half a can of water, and leave to cook for 5 mins. Top portions with the soured cream and parsley, if using, and serve with pasta, jacket potatoes, or garlic bread.

EASY MUSHROOM PAPRIKA RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a large heavy skillet (I use my electric frypan for this) over medium-low heat melt butter.
• Cook the onions and garlic with the crushed red pepper flakes (if using) until soft (about 5 minutes.
• Add in Cognac and cook over medium heat stirring for about 1 minute.
• Add in sliced mushrooms, and cook stirring about 2 minutes.
• Add in broth, whipping cream, paprika, salt and pepper; simmer, stirring occasionally until the liquid is reduced to about 1-1/2 cups (can be a little more than 1-1/2 cups) this should take about 15 minutes to reduce.
• Remove from heat and add in chopped parsley and sour cream (do not let sour cream boil).
• Add in a couple of tablespoons Parmesan cheese (if using).

EASY BEEF RAGOUT

Steps:

• Sauté onion and garlic in margarine in large frying pan until onion is soft and golden. Turn into ungreased 3 quart casserole.
• Add beef. Add tomato juice mixture, bay leaves and pepper. Stir. Cover. Bake in 325F oven for 1 1/2 hours.
• Add next 6 ingredients. Stir. Cover. Bake for about 1 hour until beef is very tender. Remove and discard bay leaves.
• Stir water into flour in small cup until smooth. Gradually stir into beef mixture. Cover. Bake for 15 minutes until bubbling and thickened.
• Makes 10 cups.

MUSHROOM RAGù PASTA

Steps:

• Add the stock, heavy cream, porcini mushroom powder (if using), 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves and 2 teaspoons salt to a large pot. Bring to a boil over high.
• While the liquid comes to a boil, heat the oil over medium-high in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet. Add the mushrooms, shallots, garlic and 2 teaspoons thyme leaves. Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, about 12 minutes. Add the port, and stir until the alcohol cooks off and the mixture is almost dry, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, set aside and cover to keep warm.
• Add the pasta to the boiling cream mixture, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently with tongs, until the pasta is al dente and absorbs most of the liquid, and the sauce is silky, 6 to 7 minutes. (Stir constantly during the last couple minutes to ensure the pasta cooks evenly. Add a splash of water if needed to keep the mixture glossy.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the pasta to bowls, top with the mushroom mixture and the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, and serve immediately.

MUSHROOM RAGOûT WITH PAPRIKA

Steps:

• Cut white mushrooms lengthwise into 1/2-inch wedges and chop exotic mushrooms. Finely chop shallots.
• In a deep 12-inch heavy skillet cook shallots in butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add Cognac and cook over moderate heat, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add broth, heavy cream, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 12 to 15 minutes. (Ragout may be made up to this point 1 day ahead and cooled completely before being chilled, covered. Reheat ragout before proceeding.) Mince parsley. Remove skillet from heat and stir in parsley and sour cream. Heat ragout over moderate heat, stirring, until hot (do not let boil).