Viltgryta med Svamp
Swedish Game Stew with Mushrooms
A rich and hearty game stew, traditionally made with venison or moose, simmered in a creamy sauce with wild mushrooms and aromatic herbs. This dish is a staple in Swedish autumn and winter cuisine, perfect for a chilly evening.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Diced game meat (venison, moose, or boar)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and sliced)
- 30 g Dried wild mushrooms
- 500 ml Beef or game stock
- 200 ml Red wine
- 200 ml Heavy cream
- 6 crushed Juniper berries
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 1 Bay leaf
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour(for thickening, optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Soak the dried mushrooms in warm water for at least 30 minutes. Drain, reserving the soaking liquid, and roughly chop the mushrooms.
💡 Tip: Strain the mushroom liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any grit. - 2
Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the game meat in batches until well-seared on all sides. Remove the meat and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onions and sliced carrots to the pot. Sauté until the onions are softened and lightly browned.
- 4
Return the browned meat to the pot. Add the chopped mushrooms, beef or game stock, red wine, crushed juniper berries, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Stir well.
💡 Tip: If using flour to thicken, sprinkle it over the meat and vegetables before adding liquids and stir to coat. - 5
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 6
Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 5-10 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
- 7
Season the stew with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: This stew is excellent served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, or crusty bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, marinate the game meat in red wine with herbs overnight before cooking.
- ✓If fresh wild mushrooms are available, use them instead of dried, adding them in step 4.
- ✓Adjust the amount of cream to achieve your desired richness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other root vegetables like parsnips or celeriac.
- Incorporate a splash of gin or sloe gin for an extra layer of flavor.
- For a touch of sweetness, add a tablespoon of lingonberry jam or a pinch of sugar.