It’s wild mushroom season here, but unfortunately, it hasn’t rained much so there aren’t very many wild mushrooms. Nevertheless, I was craving a stew, a beef stew. There is a typical dish here called “Fricando”, where you make a gorgeous stew with Moxiernon mushrooms. I think the translation is St. George’s Mushroom. It’s small, dark brown with a thin stem and perfect little cap. I bought the dried variety, because for stews, I find that the umami is more enhanced and concentrated.
I love making stews because once you have done some minimal prep work, and you start to simmer it, all you have to do is sit back and relax and let nature do its magic. Mine was on the stove for about 3 hours, so your beef is succulent and completely melts in your mouth! I added a whole bottle of Ribera del Duero wine, to make it even more luxurious.
Instead of potatoes or rice, I opted for barley. I love the nutty taste of it, and also the texture beats rice or potatoes any day in my book! Apart from that, it is a powerhouse of nutritional value. Great source of fiber, filled with vitamins, antioxidants and phytochemicals, which we all by now are great cancer fighting properties.
So why not make this dish and luxuriate, knowing that your taste buds and your health will thank you!
Here’s what you’re going to need:
Serves 4
1 lb beef for stew
4 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 large celery rib, chopped
1 swede, chopped
1/2 leek, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 carrots, sliced
1 parsnip, sliced
200 g dried wild mushrooms, rinsed and soaked in warm water for 20 minutes
1 good bottle of red wine
2 bay leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste
3 tsp bisto mixed with a 1/2 cup water
1 tsp gravy master
2 tsp white wine vinegar
In a large stock pot over high heat, brown the beef on all sides. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Add a touch of the wine to deglaze the pot, stirring so all the brown bits are incorporated into your oil. Once the wine has evaporated, reduce the heat to low, and add the onion, celery, swede and leek. Cook until translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic, carrot and parsnip, and cook another 5 minutes. Return the beef to the pot, and add the mushrooms with the water they were soaking in, the red wine, bay leaves and salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high and let come to a boil. When it is boiling, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, covered.
Let simmer for about 2 and a half hours covered, stirring from time to time, and in the last half hour, add the bisto, gravy master and white wine vinegar. Let simmer uncovered for the remaining 30 minutes.
Boil the barley according to package directions, and serve hot with the stew.
From my kitchen to yours,
Carla
Can definitely not go wrong with something so beautifully warming 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru…..I had two plates!
I’ve used barley in soups but never served it as a main component. This sounds like a wonderful comforting idea!
I love using it this way, it’s a nice change from the usual grains! Thanks for stopping by!
ummmmm… this screams comfort food! definitely going to try this.. I think the family will be thanking you very soon!! big hugs x
Oh good hon! Let me know how it goes…. I couldn’t stop tasting it as I made it! Mua! Miss u and big kiss to all your boys! Xoxo
Now you´re talking – I love meals like this! Where do you find pearl barley in Spain and what is it called? I usually bring some back from the UK with me…
You’re absolutely right I get mine form Italy!?
Mushrooms and I have a afffinity! More so when you describe beautiful wild mushrooms and that gorgeous braise with the beef and barley. It’s a truly hearty dish which looks incredible comforting and perfect for sustaining as the evenings grow darker and longer!
Absolutely! I just wish that there were more mushrooms…, but it’s been raining the last few days so it’s a glimmer of hope! Thank you Alice.
YUM! This stew sounds wonderful…will be trying!
It was ridiculous! Do try!
I will…love a good bowl of stew or soup with some crusty bread on a cool evening….