California Walnut “Satsivi” with Sautéed Trumpet Mushrooms
DESCRIPTION
This dish is Chef Nick's take on a staple of Georgian cuisine known as “satsivi”. It is similar in body to an Indian or Thai curry, and has a depth and flavor profile all its own. The walnuts serve double duty as both a flavoring and a thickening agent. Serve with grilled flatbread, rice pilaf or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoon canola oil, divided
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, microplaned or very thinly sliced
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 quart chicken or mushroom stock
- 1 1/2 cups California walnuts, finely chopped or ground in a food processor
- 1 cup toasted California walnuts, coarsely broken or chopped
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or white wine vinegar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coriander ground
- 1 teaspoon ground dried marigold
- 3/4 teaspoon aleppo pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 pounds Trumpet mushrooms
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh tarragon chopped
- Toasted chopped California walnuts, walnut oil, and chopped fresh tarragon (optional garnishes)
Preparation
- To prepare sauce, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and sweat until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and jalapeno and cook for 2 more minutes being careful not to brown. Add flour and mix well with a wooden spoon. Toast, stirring often until a roux forms and turns golden brown.
- Add ground walnuts, vinegar and all of the dry spices to the pot, then immediately add the stock in a steady stream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Simmer over low heat, for 20 to 25 minutes or until sauce has thickened noticeably. When cool enough to handle, puree until very smooth in a blender covered with a towel, being careful not to allow the lid to come off the blender due to heat. Place back in pot and set aside.
- To prepare mushrooms, melt the remaining butter with the remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown and soft. Transfer to the sauce and add the toasted walnuts to the pot reserving 1/2 cup for garnish. Stir in herbs and season to taste with salt.
- Spoon satsivi into 4 bowls and garnish with toasted walnuts, a drizzle of walnut oil, and tarragon.