Oyster mushroom stew: Elevate your dinner with this hearty dish

There's nothing quite like a fragrant, homemade stew that impresses with its flavour and is truly satisfying. If you're looking for a recipe to impress your family that doesn’t require too much time to prepare, oyster mushroom stew is ideal. With tender pork and mushrooms packed with deep flavour, this dish gains a distinctive character. Adding smoked paprika enhances the mushroom-meat aroma, while slow simmering ensures the meat is tender and juicy. Served with groats or potatoes, it will surely be a crowd-pleaser.

Preparing this dish is incredibly simple and doesn’t require much culinary expertise. The key to success is slow simmering, allowing the ingredients to meld together, creating a rich flavour.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of pork neck or shoulder,
• 200 grams of oyster mushrooms,
• 1 medium onion,
• 4 cloves of garlic,
• 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika,
• ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika,
• 1 tablespoon of cornflour,
• 250 millilitres of broth (chicken or vegetable),
• 2 tablespoons of oil for frying,
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation:

1. Prepare the meat: Trim excess fat from the meat and cut it into even cubes. Heat oil in a pan, add the meat, and fry over medium heat until browned.
2. Add vegetables: Chop the onion finely, and press the garlic using a garlic press. Add them to the meat and fry for a few minutes until softened. Add both sweet and smoked paprika and mix well to coat all ingredients with spices.
3. Process the oyster mushrooms: Clean the oyster mushrooms, trim any woody ends, and slice into strips. Add them to the pan with the meat and fry for about 10 minutes until the mushrooms are soft and have absorbed the spice flavours.
4. Simmer: Dissolve the cornflour in the broth, mixing thoroughly to avoid lumps. Pour the broth into the pan, reduce the heat, cover the dish with a lid, and simmer for about 40–50 minutes until the meat is tender.
5. Season: Finally, season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little water or broth.

Oyster mushroom stew tastes wonderful served with:

• Buckwheat: This classic combination will appeal to many.
• Potatoes: Mashed or roasted potatoes are an excellent accompaniment to the stew.
• Dumplings: Silesian dumplings or potato dumplings make a great option.
• Various types of salads: Cabbage, carrot, or beet salad will add freshness to the dish.

Oyster mushroom stew is a simple and flavoursome dish that you'll surely enjoy. Try this recipe and discover the joy that cooking can bring!