FOOD NEWS
The Umami-Rich Ingredient That Elevates Bolognese Sauce
By Camryn Teder
There are many delicious recipes for bolognese sauce, but one unexpected umami-rich ingredient can take all those iterations to greater
culinary heights: dried
porcini mushrooms.
This particular mushroom lends its complex, umami taste to dishes, so using it in a bolognese is a great way to complement and round out the flavor and texture of the sauce.
Soak the dried mushrooms in water for a few minutes to soften and rehydrate them so they release flavor. You can add them to your sauce whole or chop them into smaller pieces.
Porcini mushrooms are a close cousin of shiitake mushrooms, and they're both nutty and meaty. However, porcinis are wild-grown and boast more earth-forward flavor notes.
These low-calorie fungi are full of proteins, antioxidants, iron, and fiber, so incorporating them in your bolognese can also elevate your sauce from a nutritional standpoint.
If you want to add even more umami to complement the dried porcini mushrooms in your bolognese, sundried tomatoes provide some extra tang, sweetness, and smokiness.