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
Printable Recipe
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
- â…“ 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.
Lora @cakeduchess
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)
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!
Bev Weidner
Oh. My. Heart. Has. Stopped.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Bev.
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids
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)
Aww, so sweet. Little boys are the greatest gifts to their mums!
Soma
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)
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.
Jenny Flake
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)
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.
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free
Awww 😀 so cute!!! Love the story. It will be a great thing to keep and look back on.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Alex. I hope you feels the same way!
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables
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)
Aww - thanks, Emilie. I have to give his dad some of that credit, too.
bellini
How perfect an accompaniment would these be. I can even see them over pasta.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Absolutely! They would be fantastic over pasta, with a simple sauce of olive oil and garlic.
the wicked noodle
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)
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!
Blog is the New Black
Cute story! 🙂 Now if only my fiance would eat mushrooms...
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I know how you feel. My husband is a very firm mushroom-hater.