Mushrooms with chestnuts in a Madeira wine sauce is doing double duty as the perfect holiday side dish or a vegan main course. Perfect when you have vegan and meat eaters gathering around the same table. No need to make two dishes, we can all share!
Which is perfect because… I have been distracted! We have a foster pup staying with us until Christmas Eve. But I have been busy doting on him until he goes home, with Mr. Peel’s brother! Guess he is less foster pup and more my nephew? Yippee! Chewy the Chiweenie is the best nephew ever!
But he is also quite the distraction. We should save time somewhere, but you know we aren’t sacrificing fabulous food. That is where our mushrooms with chestnuts recipe come in.
It has all the things a holiday dish should be; one pot, make ahead, pulls double duty as main or a side and you can recycle it all winter long! It makes meat eaters and vegans both happy.
How to Make Mushrooms with Chestnuts
To start with I want to be clear that this recipe is not for chestnut mushrooms (which are delightful) but for mushrooms with chestnuts. You know those little roasting toasting things that Christmas carols are made of. OK, now that is out of the way let’s talk about what goes into our perfect holiday mushroom recipe.
The key ingredient is not the fresh mushrooms or the roasted chestnuts but dried porcini mushrooms. Typically, we rehydrate dried mushrooms for cooking.
But grinding up the porcini mushrooms into a powder allows them to become the thickener for the sauce. Avoiding the gumminess, a gluten -free starch or flour would give if you make the recipe ahead of time. Plus, they provide additional flavor without the wait time of rehydrating.
You can pulse the dried porcinis in a spice grinder, small food processor or mortar and pestle. The key is to get a night light powder.
Using organic pre-roasted and peeled chestnuts is the way to go. Oh, you have loads of time on your hands? First, so jealous! Second, here is a fantastic roasted chestnut recipe to try. I picked up mine at Costco but I saw them at my local grocery store as well.
Missing Madeira wine? You can substitute dry vermouth, sherry or port. If you are avoiding alcohol, any stock will work but try vegetable stock with a splash of cider vinegar to keep it vegan. This dish does need a hint of acid so don’t skip on the cider vinegar.
After that a basic saute and this recipe comes together in no time. Just be sure to reduce the sauce until it is thick and creamy.
To reheat for servings I cover it and warm it up in the oven at 275 degrees.
Do you have a favorite vegan holiday dish? Share a link to the recipe in the comments!
If you try this recipe, be sure to post a photo on Instagram with #peelwithzeal! Follow Peel with Zeal on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook for the latest recipes and posts.
Mushrooms with Chestnuts
Ingredients
- 1/4 oz dried porcini
- 2 tbsp ghee sub coconut oil for vegan
- 2 med shallots, minced
- 16 oz mushrooms, quartered (I used cremini)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 sprigs thyme, leaves removed
- 5 oz chestnuts, peeled and halved
- 1/2 c madeira wine (or sub stock)
- 1/4 c almond milk
Instructions
- Place dried porcini mushrooms in a spice grinder and pulse until a powder forms, set aside
- Melt ghee in a large skillet, sauté shallots until they start to brown, about 6 minutes
- Add garlic, stirring 1minutes
- Add mushrooms, sauté for 10 minutes
- Add thyme leaves and porcini powder, stir to coat the mushrooms
- Add wine or stock, simmer until evaporated
- Season to taste with salt and pepper
- Add chestnuts and almond milk, cook until chestnuts are warmed through and sauces thickens
- Garnish with additional thyme leaves, if desired
Notes
- To make ahead of time, follow directions without adding almond milk. Reheat on the stove top and add the almond milk at the end.
- Not AIP elimination phase compliant.
Marisa says
What an incredible, savory side dish. I never thought to put these flavors together!
Jen says
Thanks- it really is one of my favorite recipes!
Valentina says
Oh wow, those dried porcini mushrooms! I’ve never used dried mushrooms in powder form and now I’m totally inspired to. The entire recipe sounds delicious and like such a comfort food.
P.S. I don’t know how you foster a puppy without falling in love and keeping it forever. If I didn’t have that issue I’d foster all the time. 🙂
Jen says
I used to think the same thing! I just convince my family and friends to adopt my favorite ones! We did an article on the biggest myths about fostering… https://www.peelwithzeal.com/myths-about-fostering-dogs/
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
I can imagine how flavorful this dish is! This is so good to top on the rice or buckwheat for dinner, thanks for sharing.
Jen says
Good idea.
Jacque Hastert says
I love mushrooms and I would love this. It sounds like a great side dish to serve this holiday season.
Tayler Ross says
This looks like it is packed with flavor! I can’t wait to try this recipe!