Description
Savory Black Forest Hunter Sauce mingles wild mushrooms and rich German culinary traditions. Hearty woodland flavors and creamy textures invite passionate cooks to explore a rustic, comforting recipe perfect for winter meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 100 to 150 g (3.5 to 5.3 ounces) Black Forest bacon
- 220 ml (1 cup) whipping cream or cooking cream
- 1 heaped tablespoon beef broth or frying sauce
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 250 g (8.8 ounces) mushrooms
- 1 medium to large onion
Liquid and Thickening Agents:
- 2 splashes dry white wine (approximately 2 tablespoons)
- 2 leveled tablespoons tomato sauce or tomato paste
- 1 leveled tablespoon flour
- 1 splash oil or a little butter
- 2 pinches salt and pepper
Instructions
- Meticulously dice the onion into fine pieces and slice bacon into small strips. Clean and quarter the mushrooms, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature (375°F), adding a thin layer of oil or butter to prevent sticking. Sauté onions and bacon until onions become translucent and bacon edges crisp, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate mushrooms into the pan, allowing them to release moisture and caramelize, creating deep golden-brown edges. This process takes roughly 6-7 minutes.
- Introduce tomato paste, stirring continuously to integrate and develop rich, concentrated flavors. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, developing a robust color and aroma.
- Dust flour evenly across the mixture, stirring thoroughly to eliminate any white patches and create a smooth base. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Deglaze the pan with dry white wine, scraping accumulated browned bits from the bottom. Allow liquid to reduce by one-third, concentrating the sauce’s complexity.
- Pour in cream and beef broth, gently stirring to create a harmonious blend. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes until sauce reaches desired thickness and flavors meld together.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed. The sauce should have a balanced, rich profile with subtle depth.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately over preferred protein, pasta, or roasted vegetables. The sauce maintains optimal consistency and flavor when served fresh and warm.
Notes
- Opt for fresh, high-quality mushrooms to enhance the sauce’s depth and richness.
- Carefully control heat while sautéing to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization of ingredients.
- Deglaze the pan thoroughly with white wine to capture all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
- Consider using a wooden spoon to scrape and incorporate all the delicious fond during cooking.
- Experiment with different mushroom varieties like shiitake or wild mushrooms for unique flavor profiles.
- Adjust cream consistency by gradually adding broth if the sauce becomes too thick during simmering.
- Substitute bacon with smoked tempeh for a vegetarian-friendly alternative that maintains smoky undertones.
- Balance flavors by adding a small splash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce for extra complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg