Sauteed mushrooms are fantastic on their own, but are taken to a whole new level with the addition of Marsala wine and thyme.
Okay, this story has nothing to do with sauteed mushrooms or marsala wine, but it’s a Valentine’s story that must be told. The other day I told you a Valentine’s tale about my husband and me, but this one is about my eldest son (I’m calling him M). He’s 10 years old. He’s cute, he’s kind (I’m his mum – I get to say stuff like that) and, up until now, he has been pretty tight-lipped about girls. In fact, the mere mention of the subject usually earns me an eye roll and an exasperated “Muu-uum…” But before I tell you what happened yesterday, let me give you a little history.
A little over two years ago, we were planning M’s eighth birthday party. When he showed me the list of the kids he wanted to invite, I noticed two things. First, there were a heck of a lot of kids on the list (cue the Advil). Second, there was one girl on the list amidst 15 boys. The cutest girl in the class…smart and sweet. Let’s just call her Emily. But really?! The girl thing was starting already? I suggested we invite a couple of other girls so Emily didn’t feel completely awkward. All went well. Emily had fun and M got to show off his bounce house prowess to his crush.
Fast-forward to yesterday. M came home from school and told me that two of his buddies wrote Valentine’s notes to two girls in their class…as a joke (uh-huh). With my stomach doing little flip-slops, I casually asked M if he had written a note to anyone. Yes, to Emily. He sheepishly dug into his pocket and pulled out a folded, slightly crumpled note and handed it to me. I carefully unfolded it. In his careful cursive, M had written, “Dear Emily, will you be my Valentine? M.” Below that, in capital letters that took up half the page, was Emily’s response. “YES!!!!”
M’s buddy told him that he needs to buy Emily a king-sized chocolate bar (random!) I suggested that we head to the store and buy her a chocolate heart. He’s excited and I’m filled with mixed emotions. I love watching this thoughtful and vulnerable side of M come to the surface, but oh…it breaks my heart a little to know that I am not the only girl in his life anymore. My little boy is growing up.
Let’s move on to the recipe. I have professed my love for mushrooms before and, let me tell you, the simplicity of the flavors of this dish highlight the earthiness of the mushrooms perfectly. These would be divine served on top of a steak or alongside grilled chicken. Or pile them on top of some garlic-rubbed crostini. Since I made these at lunchtime and I had a pot of quinoa simmering on the stovetop, I piled them in a bowl and then savored every bite.
The recipe:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until just starting to turn brown, about 1 minute.
Add crimini and shiitake mushrooms and cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are starting to soften, about 3 minutes.
Add marsala wine and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed and the mushrooms are tender.
Add thyme and cook for 1 minute to let the flavors meld. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve the mushrooms as a side dish to meat or chicken, or over quinoa or rice.
Other mushroom side dishes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Bacon Polenta with Sauteed Crimini Mushrooms
Cookin’ Canuck’s Quinoa with Caramelized Crimini Mushrooms, Soy Sauce & Ginger
Sauteed Mushrooms with Marsala Wine & Thyme
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 shallot minced
- 12 ounces crimini mushrooms thinly sliced
- 6 ounces shiitake mushrooms stems removed, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup Marsala wine
- 1 tablespoons minced fresh thyme leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until just starting to turn brown, about 1 minute.
- Add crimini and shiitake mushrooms and cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are starting to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Add marsala wine and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed and the mushrooms are tender.
- Add thyme and cook for 1 minute to let the flavors meld. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve the mushrooms as a side dish to meat or chicken, or over quinoa or rice.
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Blog is the New Black says
Cute story! 🙂 Now if only my fiance would eat mushrooms…
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
I know how you feel. My husband is a very firm mushroom-hater.
the wicked noodle says
What a sweet story! I can understand your mixed feelings. My girls aren’t quite there yet but a couple more years and I’m guessing it will begin. Sigh…I wish I could keep them with me forever.
Love the mix of mushrooms and thyme is always a great flavor to add to them. Gorgeous!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Thanks, Kristy. As much as my stomach flip-flopped when he told me, I was very glad that she said “Yes.” I couldn’t bear to see his little heart broken!
bellini says
How perfect an accompaniment would these be. I can even see them over pasta.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Absolutely! They would be fantastic over pasta, with a simple sauce of olive oil and garlic.
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables says
aww it must be hard to watch your son grow up but you should feel proud that he is caring and compassionate because I’m sure he got that from his Mum 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Aww – thanks, Emilie. I have to give his dad some of that credit, too.
[email protected] of Sugar Free says
Awww 😀 so cute!!! Love the story. It will be a great thing to keep and look back on.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Thanks, Alex. I hope you feels the same way!
Jenny Flake says
How cute is that Dara?! You’ve got a little ladies man on your hands 🙂 Loving this recipe too! Drooling at 6am 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Thanks, Jenny. What makes me so happy is that he’s very respectful of girls in general. Let’s hope that continues through the teenage years.
Soma says
Too cute Dara, but it makes my heart skip a beat or two. P (my older one) is 10 too and I am already feeling squirmy in my stomach with the thought of middle school this summer. So far she stays away from ALL boys, but who knows when she will unfold a note 🙂
I LOVE mushrooms too. Stir fried is the everyday way I have it. I will have to try the marsala wine. sounds wonderful.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
It is just a matter of time, Soma. Right now it’s so sweet and innocent, and I love to see the sparkle in his eyes.
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says
I love the story and totally understand your emotions. I loved the days when my oldest little would tell me that he wanted to marry me when he grows up.
I love mushrooms, and these looks fantastic!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Aww, so sweet. Little boys are the greatest gifts to their mums!
Bev Weidner says
Oh. My. Heart. Has. Stopped.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Thanks, Bev.
Lora @cakeduchess says
I have a thing for any kind of mushrooms and this looks like lunch to me. Delicious! M is just so handsome and sweet (like his mummy) and I love this story. G was just asking lil guy yesterday who his Valentine is…it was a long list;)
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Cute! My younger son has a bit of his list going too, but he insists that they’re all “friends”, not crushes. Fine by me!
Erica says
The most important thing is that he feels comfortable telling you things like that. He’s only 10 now, but pretty soon he probably wont’ be so open… The longer you can keep him talkin’ to mama, the better!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Absolutely, Erica! I was actually really glad that he told me. I try very hard not to tease him about these things because I want him to feel comfortable talking to me.
Shirley @ gfe says
Totally adorable tale, and wonderful mushroom recipe! It can be both bittersweet and sometimes downright tough as they get older, and dare I say that you’re only at the beginning, Dara. 😉 You’ll do great though, and your son is very sweet … learning how to treat young ladies properly. 🙂
Shirley
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
I know that this is just the start and I’m taking a deep breath to steel myself. Ack!
Jacoby says
Awesome you should think of sohtnmieg like that
Judee @ gluten Free A-Z says
I’m really into mushrooms lately. Can’t wait to try this recipe tonight over some leftover quinoa.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Judee, they are wonderful over quinoa. I might make this for lunch again today.
Lana says
Awww, that is really cute:) I have to tell you, M. is a brave little boy! It takes some guts to write a Valentine to a girl at that age:) Good luck, Dara:)
As for mushrooms, I think I can live on them, especially in the winter.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Thanks, Lana. You’re right – it really did take some chutzpah to deliver that note. I was glad that she said yes!
Lisa says
What a sweet and heart melting story – that first crush paired with the realization your little boy is growing up. So cute. Nothing like sauteed mushrooms to be eaten as is, mixed with pasta. served on top of steak etc etc. They look wonderful!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Thanks you, Lisa. These mushrooms really are versatile, though I am happy to just eat them straight!
Lindsey (Cafe Johnsonia) says
What a sweet story! My oldest daughter has a darling best friend who has a little crush on her. He made her a special valentine for her last year and a bracelet at the end of the school year. I melted. (They’re only in 1st grade!)
Love this mushroom recipe. I need to pick up a bottle of marsala. This is my husband’s favorite way to have mushrooms. I’ve finally decided I like them. They were scarier for me to try than broccoli. 🙂
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
This story hit close to home if only because I once had a little girl named Emily and it brought those memories back to today. She’s grown now but I still have her Valentines box and cards from that year. The year of discovering boys.
I love mushrooms. Won’t YOU be my Valentine. 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Oh my gosh this is the sweetest thing ever!! I can hardly take it.
DawnK says
Such a sweet boy and she sounds like a sweet girl! Glad her mom liked the post! I have two daughters, who are in college, but we haven’t done the whole boy thing yet. My kids are so focused on college right now.
Steve @ the black peppercorn says
I always love sauteed mushrooms! These look delicious!
MikeVFMK says
Love the story!! Your sons are slowly approaching that mysterious, magical age. Love the mushrooms, all the ingredients my wife loves with mushrooms. Yay for that.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
I love the combination of mushrooms and thyme. I use mushrooms like this in a polenta and cheese casserole — absolutely delicious.
pavithra says
Lovely sweet story and the dish looks way toooooooooo tempting and beautifully captured:)
Laurie @SimplyScratch says
Oh the things I’d top with these mushrooms!!
Cathy @What Would Cathy Eat? says
mmmmm…. these mushrooms would be great on polenta, too.
Deliciously Organic says
What a sweet story! He will remember that his entire life!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Awww, to be 10 again and have a crush. Your son is so cute. I love the mushrooms too!
Deborah says
Oh, I can only imagine!! I think I will fall apart the day that Easton starts chasing after girls. Thank goodness I have a little while! I love mushrooms in any way, shape and form, and these sound delicious!
Heidi @foodiecrush says
Oh man, I feel your pain! Smudge is only 7 and she’s already crushing on boys and even had her first kiss. Well, HE kissed her, on the cheek in kindergarten, but still! I couldn’t even pucker up until 8th grade! UGGHHH. Although come to think of it, Smudge and M are both pretty cute, and smart, and…hmmmm. 🙂
foodwanderings says
Your kiddo is adorable and his valentine. I love mushrooms all sorts and cooked many ways and you lure me in as if you sense what will capture my heart! 🙂
Jackie Thompson says
Oh Dara, you’ve managed to tear me up. I have 3 boys, much older mind you, but it’s like yesterday when they were going through those same little crushes.
Kris says
AW! so sweet… and I’m glad she said YES!!! too, and with such enthusiasm. 😀
and this recipe… oh yum. I could eat these just straight out of the bowl too…
Sara{OneTribeGourmet} says
Dara, thank you for posting this delicious recipe, since I have become a semi vegetarian {i eat seafood once in awhile} I am always looking for healthy recipes like yours! And oh my your son is a cutie patootie! 🙂 I have two sons and they are a joy in my life! Sorry I have been MIA, I’m back & I will visit more often. 🙂 xx
DessertForTwo says
Ok, maybe I’m a little emotional, but this story made me tear up! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Jeanette says
So cute, it is fun to watch my boys grow up, but a little sad too. Love mushrooms, they go perfectly with marsala and thyme.
Marla says
Dara, I was stuck on every single word of this post 🙂 Soooo sweet. Bet that little gal will love the chocolate heart from your cutie. I do hope that our little ones will always have a GIANT space in their hearts for their mamas.
Lovely, unrelated mushrooms by the way 😉
xo
Amy says
Oh my Dara! This combo is a favorite of mine. I like it almost as much as your story. So sweet!
And I think instead of a chocolate heart, steak would’ve been a good thing.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Oh, what a sweet story. It’s both exciting and scary to watch kids take their first tentative steps into this stage of life. But you’ve taught him well so you can be assured that all will be fine. Oh, and the mushrooms? Divine!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
Belatedly popping in to say–I love this story. 🙂 It’s clear M was raised by great parents!!