The Betty Crocker Project : Sauteed Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a bit of a taboo subject around here. Dan being staunchly Anti-Fungi and myself being Pro-Yummy Little Cap-Shaped Vehicles for Sauce and Salt. So I have to admit my vast knowledge of mushroom sauteing has gotten a bit rusty these past years. . . BUT I do know this . . . to quote the wise words of Mrs. Kerkovich : "Wine, Wine and more Wine" is key.

So imagine my surprise when Betty had no mention of wine at all in her Sauteed Mushrooms recipe! It lead me to look into this further. . . Apparently everything I ever knew about sauteing mushrooms was probably based on working class Italians choosing to cook with the wine they drank. See the Italian way to cook mushrooms should be done with white wine. . . not red. I guess this would explain why all these years whenever I made mushrooms for people - they would comment on how they had never had mushrooms like that before and follow with compliments - that I am now convinced is some food version of the Emperor 's New Clothes.

There was chatter on Facebook about how I should stay true to Betty and just use the margarine and others who pointed out that you can't drink margarine while you cook and what's fun about that? Leading me to face my own biased ideas about mushrooms and well - A GREAT MUSHROOM SHOWDOWN. 

In one corner ( the left one ) we had Betty and her classic recipe :

• 2 Tablespoons of Margarine
• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 2 Cloves of Garlic ( minced ) 
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Pepper
• 6-8 Small to Medium Sized White Mushrooms ( wipe off the gross stuff - She says slice 'em - but I kept them whole )

Heat all the ingredients except the Mushrooms until the butter melts and then stir the Mushrooms. Cook for about 4-6 minutes.

In the other ( the right one ) a family tradition - perhaps a cover for highly functional alcoholics ( Just kidding Ma - Please don't call and yell at me )   :

• 6-8 Small to Medium Sized White Mushrooms ( make sure you wipe off any icky stuff )
• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil 
• 1/2 cup of Red Wine - Merlot is good but so is Burgundy ( maybe more ) 
• I Clove of Garlic ( minced )  

Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet on Medium heat - till it coats the bottom and throw in the Mushrooms and Wine. Once the Mushrooms begin to brown - well - they actually turn kinda purple - add the garlic. Stir the Mushrooms ever so often to keep them from cooking too much on one side. Eat them once they are soft and kinda spongy like. 

It went fast. . . 2 skillets on medium heat filling our kitchen with savory aromas . . . the whispering sizzle. . . and the result. . . A DRAW!

They both rocked. They both would be good on a burger or in pasta and were different and unique enough to not really compete with each other. It all really depends on preference  - Betty's was a little salty but that can be good too - just saying.