Christmas Leftover Comfort Food: Creamy Beef & Mushrooms

Most of us have leftovers after Christmas and tipping them feels like a lot of waste, and eating the same meal the next day isn’t really appetising. So here’s one way I came up with to enjoy your leftovers in a tasty and luxurious way, with added mushrooms , and you’d never know it was the food you ate yesterday. It is warming, easy, and unrushed, which is great for Boxing Day or the quiet days of Christmas.

🎄Creamy Beef & Mushrooms

Ingredients:

Leftover Christmas roast beef, thinly sliced or chopped

250 g Mushrooms (any kind), sliced

A splash of leftover gravy or stock

A splash of leftover white wine

1 small onion or shallot, finely sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp butter or olive oil

2 tsp paprika (smoked if you like depth)

100 ml double cream

Salt & plenty of black pepper

Optional festive extras:

A little mustard or horseradish

Fresh thyme or parsley, spring onion or any herb of your choice.

A small squeeze of lemon to lift the richness

❄️Method:

Cook the mushrooms first

Heat the butter or olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms. Cook until they release their moisture.

Then continue cooking until golden and slightly caramelised. This step builds flavour, so don’t rush it.

Soften the aromatics

Add the onion (and a pinch of salt) and cook until soft and sweet. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.

Season and deglaze

Sprinkle in the paprika and black pepper, stirring well to coat everything.

Add a splash of gravy, stock, scraping up the flavours from the pan. Let it simmer gently for a minute or two.

Add wine and cream

Add white wine.

Lower the heat and stir in double cream. Let it warm and thicken slowly, keep it below a boil for a silky sauce.

Finish the dish

Dijon mustard (optional)

Add the leftover beef and warm through gently. Avoid cooking it too long to keep it tender.

Taste and adjust seasoning. The squeeze of lemon works beautifully with the richness.

Finish with herbs

Sprinkle over fresh herbs just before serving.

To Serve

Delicious over rice.

Sprinkle more herbs.

Can also be served over mash made from leftover potatoes

With buttered noodles or tagliatelle, alongside reheated roast potatoes

Or simply with good bread to mop up the sauce

The creamy sauce is full of mushroom flavour, and the beef wasn't overcooked and remained tender.

Sprinkle more paprika or chilli powder if preferred.

This simple dish is mushroomy, beefy and delicious. It turns leftovers into a comforting, and really indulgent, and that's exactly what the days after Christmas call for.

My share in @fungifriday by @ewkaw

Have a lovely day, Mariah :)