What is a confit?
The term confit is used to describe anything that has been cooked slowly into a rich, succulent texture. For this recipe, we’ll poach wild mushrooms in olive oil until supremely tender – so delicious, deep and aromatic, you might want to eat the whole batch in one go.
Pick any kind of mushroom you like, then get to poaching!
You can make this recipe with your favorite mushrooms! Choose a single variety or a mix of different mushrooms… but always pick medium-sized specimens so that they’re easier to eat in one bite. Whole mushrooms also make for a better presentation.
For a gourmet spread, serve this confit alongside these Collard greens and sweet corn buttermilk cakes with sumac-sour cream or these marinated olives with fennel. But the poached mushrooms are also wonderful as a condiment or side. Indeed, a spoonful of the flavorful morsels can brighten any main course, salad or soup!
Save the leftover mushroom-infused olive oil for drizzling or making vinaigrettes
Although the oil they’re cooked in is not consumed with the mushrooms, you can use it for other recipes – see Viviane’s tip below. Bon appétit!
Food & wine pairing: Alsace, Pinot Blanc with wild mushroom confit
A medium- to full-bodied white wine, one that’s neither too acidic nor overly aromatic, is just what this mushroom confit needs. A Pinot Blanc from Alsace or a Chardonnay from Mâconnais in Burgundy, or from Sonoma Valley in California, makes for a delightful pairing!
Wild mushroom confit with garlic and fresh herbs
makes 2 cups
active time: 30 min
- 1 lb (455 g) assorted wild mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, Chanterelles, morels, black trumpet…) – medium in size
- 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 8 large garlic cloves – peeled and halved
- 12 large sage leaves
- 4 rosemary sprigs
- 6 thyme sprigs
- 8 winter savory sprigs
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons whole black Tellicherry peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons aged sherry wine vinegar
- Brush the mushrooms clean and trim the stems, but keep the mushrooms whole. Set aside. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. (I recommend a 12″ skillet.) Add 1/3 cup of oil and the mushrooms, toss carefully, and sauté undisturbed for 2 minutes until the mushrooms begin to brown. Toss again and continue to sauté until the mushrooms are golden-brown, about 4 to 5 minutes, tossing only from time to time. Add the garlic pieces and sauté for 1 minute, until the garlic is golden but not brown. Reduce heat to medium, add the balance of the oil and the herbs and peppercorns, and gently heat until the oil reaches 170ºF (80ºC) (use a thermometer). Once the oil has reached the desired temperature, continue poaching the mushrooms for 6 to 7 minutes, maintaining the temperature at 170ºF (80ºC), until the herbs are crisp and have turned a shade darker. Transfer the mushrooms, herbs and oil into a large bowl. Stir in the salt and vinegar and allow to cool to room temperature. To serve, scoop out the mushrooms with a slotted spoon and place in a serving bowl.
- Cook’s note: Once cooled, the mushrooms can be refrigerated in their cooking oil for up to 1 week. (Make sure they are covered with the oil.) Bring to room temperature before serving. To serve as a side dish, gently heat the mushrooms in their oil, drain, remove the herbs and peppercorns and serve warm.
Viviane’s tip
- Once you’ve consumed all these amazingly delicious mushrooms, don’t throw the oil away. Strain it through a fine sieve and use it to make another batch of the mushroom confit; or use it to make vinaigrettes, to drizzle over roasted or grilled vegetables, to sauté vegetables or to make sauces. It’ll bring beautiful aromas and flavors to anything you cook with it. Refrigerate the strained oil for up to 1 month.
Viviane….where do you get your Marcona almonds. I prefer them dry roasted without salt.
I am Jill Minye’s mother and LOVE your blog .
Thank you. Jean Edwards
Hello Jean, It is lovely to meet you here! Thank you for your note and kind words. I have bought Marcona almonds either locally or online, but always salted. Doing a quick search on the internet I found these unsalted Marcona almonds https://www.nutsinbulk.com/unsalted-marcona-almonds-1-pound.html It’s probably your best bet for buying them unsalted. Enjoy having Jill with you!
Awesome Viviane!!! I love confit but I’ve never had mushroom confit. This looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to make it.
Poached in olive oil? With garlic and herbs??? How can this be anything less than spectacular!
I am a big of more exotic mushrooms and I would never have thought to poach wild mushrooms in olive oil! The dish -and every component – looks amazing Viviane! keeping the flavored oil, brilliant too.
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My husband is not a fan of mushrooms either…can it be a man thing? I LOVE it.
Angie! My hubby ADORES mushrooms… In fact I have to fight him to get my own share. You’re making feeling lucky about that!
This is awesome! I love mushrooms so much, my fiance however does not :-/
I will have to sneak this in when he isn’t around!
Hi RavieNomNom! Congratulations on your engagement… How very exciting! And I am so sorry to hear that your financé doesn’t like mushrooms. You might have to make a batch just for yourself. I know I would! 🙂