COMFORT ESSENTIALS: MEATBALLS WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY

Comfort Essentials: Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy image

Okay, as I pen these words, Autumn has begun; the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer, and the evenings are getting distinctly cooler. That makes for a perfect combination for good ole' comfort food. This is one of my first Autumn experiments... it is a combination of meatballs, yummy mushroom gravy, and...

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Categories Beef

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
THE MEATBALLS
6 - 8 medium homemade meatballs, more on that later
THE MUSHROOM GRAVY
2 slice applewood smoked bacon, chopped
2 Tbsp sweet butter, unsalted
8 oz button mushrooms, sliced; including the stems
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 Tbsp dried basil
1/2 Tbsp dried orgeano
1/2 c heavy cream
1/2 c dry white wine (chardonnay, or sauvignon blanc)heavy cream
salt, kosher variety, to taste
white pepper, freshly ground, to taste
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
mash taters, or possibly egg noodles

Steps:

1. PREP/PREPARE
2. Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
3. THE MEATBALLS
4. Okay, the meatballs are totally up to you...they could be store bought, or homemade. But, in my opinion, homemade is the way to go. Here is my go to meatball recipe, given to me by my Aunt Josephine: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/pork/delicious-beef-pork-meatballs.html?r=12 Whatever recipe you choose, precook the meatballs and keep them nice and warm.
5. THE MUSHROOM GRAVY
6. Add the bacon to a sauté pan, and cook over medium heat, until cooked, but not crispy.
7. Add the butter to the pan.
8. When the foaming subsides add the mushrooms.
9. Sauté until the mushrooms have given up their moisture, and are slightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.
10. Add the garlic, cayenne, basil, and oregano, and then sauté for 2 minutes.
11. Make sure to keep the pan active, so that nothing burns.
12. Chef's Note: At this point you can stop the recipe; ignore the wine and cream, and serve these mushrooms over a nice burger or steak. However, if you want the gravy, please continue :-)
13. Mix the wine with the cream, and then add it to the pan. Continue stirring until the liquid is reduced by half, about 4 to 6 minutes.
14. Taste the sauce, and then add a small amount of salt & pepper, (if necessary) and then taste again.
15. Chef's Note: Salt & taste... Salt & taste... our instructor would say to us... How can you hope to be a chef, if you don't taste your work?
16. Take the pan off heat.
17. Chef's Tip: Although the dynamics of the sauce will change, if you're opposed to wine, you can substitute a good chicken stock (not broth).
18. PLATE/PRESENT
19. Place some good mash taters or wide egg noodles on a plate, top with 3 or 4 meatballs, and then cover with the mushroom sauce. A few slices of bread would not be amiss. Enjoy.
20. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.