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.
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.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
Belatedly popping in to say–I love this story. 🙂 It’s clear M was raised by great parents!!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
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!
Amy
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.
Marla
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
Jeanette
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.
DessertForTwo
Ok, maybe I’m a little emotional, but this story made me tear up! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Sara{OneTribeGourmet}
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
Kris
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…
Jackie Thompson
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.
foodwanderings
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! 🙂
Heidi @foodiecrush
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. 🙂
Deborah
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!
Jersey Girl Cooks
Awww, to be 10 again and have a crush. Your son is so cute. I love the mushrooms too!
Deliciously Organic
What a sweet story! He will remember that his entire life!
Cathy @What Would Cathy Eat?
mmmmm…. these mushrooms would be great on polenta, too.
Laurie @SimplyScratch
Oh the things I’d top with these mushrooms!!
pavithra
Lovely sweet story and the dish looks way toooooooooo tempting and beautifully captured:)
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
I love the combination of mushrooms and thyme. I use mushrooms like this in a polenta and cheese casserole — absolutely delicious.
MikeVFMK
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.