Stroganoff: Difference between revisions

From James's Wiki
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 11: Line 11:
| 2 tbsp || Minced garlic ||  
| 2 tbsp || Minced garlic ||  
|-
|-
| ~1/2 cup || Butter || Divided (6 tbsp for roux, 2 tbsp for sauté)
| 6 tbsp || Butter || Divided (4.5 tbsp for roux, 1.5 tbsp for sauté)
|-
|-
| 6 tbsp || Flour || For the roux
| 4 1/2 tbsp || Flour || For the roux
|-
|-
| 4 1/2 cups || Beef broth || (Reduced by 25%)
| 3 3/8 cups || Beef broth || (~3 cups + 6 tbsp)
|-
|-
| 1 tbsp || Tomato paste ||  
| 1 tbsp || Tomato paste ||  
Line 21: Line 21:
| 1 tbsp || Dijon mustard ||  
| 1 tbsp || Dijon mustard ||  
|-
|-
| 1/2 cup || Dry white wine || Or Brandy to deglaze
| 1/3 cup || Dry white wine || Or Brandy to deglaze
|-
|-
| 1 tsp || Smoked paprika ||  
| 3/4 tsp || Smoked paprika ||  
|-
|-
| 1 1/2 tsp || Salt || Adjust to taste
| 1 tsp || Salt || Adjust to taste
|-
|-
| 3 1/3 cups || Sour cream || (Reduced by 25%)
| 2 1/2 cups || Sour cream ||  
|-
|-
| 6 cups || Egg noodles || Homemade and cooked
| 6 cups || Egg noodles || Homemade and cooked
Line 39: Line 39:


=== 1. Prepare the Blonde Roux ===
=== 1. Prepare the Blonde Roux ===
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt '''6 tablespoons''' of butter. Whisk in '''6 tablespoons''' of flour. Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and smelling slightly nutty. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt '''4 1/2 tablespoons''' of butter. Whisk in '''4 1/2 tablespoons''' of flour. Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbly. It should smell nutty but remain pale. Remove from heat and set aside.


=== 2. Sauté and Develop Umami ===
=== 2. Sauté and Develop Umami ===
In a large pot, melt the remaining '''2 tablespoons''' of butter. Sauté the diced onions until translucent. Add garlic, mushrooms, and tomato paste. Cook until mushrooms are browned and the paste is a deep rusty color.
In a large pot, melt the remaining '''1 1/2 tablespoons''' of butter. Sauté the diced onions until translucent. Add garlic, mushrooms, and tomato paste. Cook until mushrooms are browned and the paste has darkened.


=== 3. Deglaze and Simmer ===
=== 3. Deglaze and Simmer ===
Pour in the wine/brandy. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release the fond. Once the liquid is mostly evaporated, stir in the '''4 1/2 cups''' of beef broth, salt, smoked paprika, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Pour in the wine/brandy. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release the fond. Once the liquid is mostly evaporated, stir in the '''3 3/8 cups''' of beef broth, salt, smoked paprika, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a gentle simmer.


=== 4. Thicken the Gravy ===
=== 4. Thicken the Gravy ===
Whisk in the prepared roux a tablespoon at a time into the simmering broth. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
Whisk in the prepared roux a tablespoon at a time into the simmering broth. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.


=== 5. Temper and Finish ===
=== 5. Temper and Finish ===
'''Crucial:''' Turn heat to low. Whisk a ladle of hot broth into the '''3 1/3 cups''' of sour cream (tempering) before stirring the mixture into the pot. This ensures a silky texture. Do not boil.
'''Crucial:''' Turn heat to low. Whisk a ladle of hot broth into the '''2 1/2 cups''' of sour cream (tempering) before stirring the mixture into the pot.  
 
 
 
This prevents the dairy from curdling. Do not allow the sauce to boil after this step.


=== 6. Combine and Serve ===
=== 6. Combine and Serve ===
Fold in the ribeye pieces and half the herbs. Warm for 2 minutes. Serve over the egg noodles and garnish with remaining herbs.
Fold in the ribeye pieces and half the herbs. Warm through for 2 minutes. Serve over the homemade egg noodles and garnish with the remaining fresh herbs.


---
---
Line 60: Line 64:
== Chef's Notes ==
== Chef's Notes ==


=== Scaling the Roux ===
=== The Science of the "Fond" ===
For this volume of liquid (approx. 8 cups total including sour cream), a roux made of 6 tablespoons of butter and 6 tablespoons of flour provides a "medium" thickness. If you prefer a very heavy, thick gravy, you can increase the roux back to 1/2 cup each.
The brown bits (fond) created during the mushroom sauté are concentrated flavor. Deglazing ensures these are incorporated into the sauce rather than left on the bottom of the pot.
 


=== The Science of the "Fond" ===


The brown bits (fond) created during the mushroom sauté are concentrated flavor. Deglazing ensures these are incorporated into the sauce rather than left on the bottom of the pot.
=== Why We Temper the Sour Cream ===
Sour cream is an emulsion. If cold sour cream hits boiling broth, the proteins tighten instantly and separate, resulting in a grainy sauce. By whisking hot broth into the sour cream first, you raise its temperature gradually, ensuring a silky finish.


=== Reheating ===
=== Reheating ===
Because this contains a large amount of sour cream, reheat slowly on the stove. High heat will cause the dairy to separate and the ribeye to overcook.
Because this contains a large amount of sour cream, reheat slowly on the stove. High heat will cause the dairy to separate and the ribeye to overcook.

Revision as of 13:21, 21 December 2025


Ingredients

Amount Ingredient Notes
16 oz Cremini mushrooms Sliced thick
2 Onions Diced
2 tbsp Minced garlic
6 tbsp Butter Divided (4.5 tbsp for roux, 1.5 tbsp for sauté)
4 1/2 tbsp Flour For the roux
3 3/8 cups Beef broth (~3 cups + 6 tbsp)
1 tbsp Tomato paste
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/3 cup Dry white wine Or Brandy to deglaze
3/4 tsp Smoked paprika
1 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
2 1/2 cups Sour cream
6 cups Egg noodles Homemade and cooked
1 lb+ Ribeye steak Pre-cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup Fresh parsley & Dill Finely chopped for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Blonde Roux

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 4 1/2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 4 1/2 tablespoons of flour. Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbly. It should smell nutty but remain pale. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Sauté and Develop Umami

In a large pot, melt the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté the diced onions until translucent. Add garlic, mushrooms, and tomato paste. Cook until mushrooms are browned and the paste has darkened.

3. Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in the wine/brandy. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release the fond. Once the liquid is mostly evaporated, stir in the 3 3/8 cups of beef broth, salt, smoked paprika, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Thicken the Gravy

Whisk in the prepared roux a tablespoon at a time into the simmering broth. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

5. Temper and Finish

Crucial: Turn heat to low. Whisk a ladle of hot broth into the 2 1/2 cups of sour cream (tempering) before stirring the mixture into the pot.


This prevents the dairy from curdling. Do not allow the sauce to boil after this step.

6. Combine and Serve

Fold in the ribeye pieces and half the herbs. Warm through for 2 minutes. Serve over the homemade egg noodles and garnish with the remaining fresh herbs.

---

Chef's Notes

The Science of the "Fond"

The brown bits (fond) created during the mushroom sauté are concentrated flavor. Deglazing ensures these are incorporated into the sauce rather than left on the bottom of the pot.


Why We Temper the Sour Cream

Sour cream is an emulsion. If cold sour cream hits boiling broth, the proteins tighten instantly and separate, resulting in a grainy sauce. By whisking hot broth into the sour cream first, you raise its temperature gradually, ensuring a silky finish.

Reheating

Because this contains a large amount of sour cream, reheat slowly on the stove. High heat will cause the dairy to separate and the ribeye to overcook.