What is Mushroom Red Sauce?
Mushroom red sauce is a variation of tomato sauce and contains pieces of cooked mushrooms. The addition of this ingredient adds an earthy and meaty flavor to the sauce. Red wine brings a brightness and depth of flavor that is accompanied by garlic and mild seasonings. This robust sauce is served hot and pairs well with pasta and meats.
Ingredients
Olive oil is extracted from the fresh olive, which grows on a tree. Many olives are needed in the extraction of the oil. This is done by a mechanical process and sometimes by a chemical process, though the mechanical method is highly preferred. Olive oil is a golden color and changes slightly due to whether it is extra virgin, or first cold pressed. The flavor of olive oil depends on how it was processed. Lower quality oils will taste mild, while high quality olive oils will have a robust flavor that is green, or may have a spicy quality. Extra virgin and first cold pressed or preferred. Olive oil lends a depth of flavor to any savory dish.
Shallot are a type of onion with a milder flavor than the large bulb varieties. Shallots are small onions in a lumpy oblong shape. They have a papery dry, brown skin that protects the ringed layers of the onions flesh. These layers are white with hints of purple and are juicy and crunchy. The shallot has a sweet and gently sharp taste that once cooked lends a silky and savory sweetness to a dish.
Garlic is used in cuisines around the world and is extremely popular for its depth of flavor. The garlic bulb forms underneath the soil and is harvested once it reaches maturity. The bulb typically has thin, dry, white and flaky skin, surrounding the individual cloves. Often there are 10-12 cloves to a bulb/head of garlic. The cloves are cream colored with a strong smell and flavor that is spicy and sharp. Garlic takes on a nutty flavor in addition, when cooked. It is used in countless dishes, sauces, breads and more.
Mushrooms are a type of fungus and grow out of soil, or on trees. There are many varieties of mushrooms from white button, portobello, shitake, oyster mushrooms and many more. All mushrooms vary in flavor though most have a mild and earthy flavor that may have buttery notes or a woody taste. The texture of boiled mushrooms are meaty, firm yet soft and a bit spongy. Boiling is a quick method of cooking mushrooms.
Wine is a fermented alcoholic drink with a long history. Today specific varieties of grape are cultivated specifically for wine. There are many kinds of red wine, including Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Red wine has a dark red color and a thin water-like viscosity. Some types are darker or lighter in color. Each type of wine tastes different. In general, the flavor is a bit sour and may include hints of oak, fruit, citrus and minerals, among other notes. Some red wine is heavy and full of tannins, while others are light and have a milder taste. Red wine is commonly served as a drink and can be used in cooking to add a full depth of flavor.
Crushed tomatoes are usually a cooked and canned item, though may come in a jar. They are small chunks of red tomato, packed in their own juice. Crushed tomatoes have a high liquid content, with small solid pieces of soft tomato. The flavor is sweet and tart with an umami quality. Crushed tomatoes are often used in sauces, soups and stews.
Parsley is an aromatic herb with slender green stalks and sturdy, small green leaves. There are two common types of parsley, curly parsley and Italian flat leaf parsley. Italian parsley has a more robust flavor than curly parsley. Though each type tastes green, spicy and vegetal, with a hint of bitterness. Parsley is used as and herb to flavor dishes and as a garnish.
Salt is a mineral composed mostly of sodium chloride. It is the main flavoring used in food and is naturally occurring in certain foods, such as cheese, beets, meat and celery, plus many others. Salt is white and has finer granules than sugar. Many commercial salts include iodide, while others exclude it. Most salts are white, while some are naturally pale pink with minerals. Salt brings out the flavor of something and can create a tangy mouthfeel, if used in excess.
The peppercorn plant grows in tropical climate and produces tiny black fruit. The fruit is dried and become hard. At this point it is ground into a textured powder comprised of black and grey dots. It has a flavor that is spicy, pungent and sharp. Pepper is an extremely popular spice, especially in Western cuisines and lends a gentle heat to dishes. There are different varieties of black pepper and the flavor changes subtly because of this.
