Port is a special beverage that should be enjoyed to the fullest. Not only can it be enjoyed after meals, but it can also be used in the kitchen. If you want to use Port in your next meal, here are some Port cooking tips and recipes.

Beef Stroganoff with Port

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs of stewing beef
  • ½ cup of all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 ½lb of sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 4 cloves of minced garlic
  • 1 ½ cups of beef stock
  • ½ cup of Port wine
  • 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried
  • 1 Tbsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4oz of low-fat cream cheese cut into medium chunks
  • 1 cup of low-fat sour cream
  • ½ cup of fresh parsley
  • Cooked and drained egg noodles

Instructions:

  • Place the beef in a bowl with salt, pepper and flour. Toss it around until the meat is evenly coated.
  • Heat the olive oil and brown the meat in batches.
  • Transfer your meat into a slow cooker.
  • Use the beef stock and Port to deglaze your pan/skillet.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce and mustard before adding this mixture to the slow cooker.
  • Use the same pan to melt your butter and saute your onions, garlic and the mushrooms before adding them to the slow cooker.
  • Add thyme, paprika and salt and pepper to the slow cooker.
  • Stir to combine all of your ingredients and cover.
  • Cook in your slow cooker on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours.
  • Before serving, add cream cheese to your pot and cover.
  • Once the cream cheese has melted, add the sour cream and parsley.
  • Cook your noodles and serve together.

Steak and Mushroom Port Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb rib eye steaks
  • 10oz mushrooms
  • 2oz heavy cream
  • 4oz Port wine
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • Salt and pepper for seasoning

Instructions:

  • When it comes to Port cooking ideas, this is one of the easiest. All you need to do is season your steaks with salt and pepper before melting butter in a skillet.
  • Place your steaks in the skillet and cook for a few minutes on either side to give the meat a nice crust.
  • Place in your oven (preheated to 450F) until cooked all the way through.
  • Remove your steaks from the skillet and wrap in foil while they rest.
  • Add the port and mushrooms to the skillet and allow to reduce just a little bit before adding cream.
  • Allow the sauce to reduce further before serving over your cooked steak and other trimmings.

Poached Pears

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Port wine
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 3 orange peel strips
  • 1 lemon peel strip
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 firm, ripe pears
  • Ice Cream

Instructions:

  • Port cooking is not just about savoury dishes. You can make delicious sweet treats too. All you need to do is combine your Port with orange peels, lemon peels, cinnamon, sugar and two cups of water in a saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
  • Remove the pan from heat.
  • Cut off the bases of your pears so that they have a flat base on which to rest.
  • Peel the pears and place them in the Port mixture.
  • Boil on medium-low heat before covering and allowing to simmer for about an hour.
  • Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
  • Serve your pears with ice cream and drizzle the sauce over the ice cream too.

These are just a few ideas to help get you started with Port cooking. Once you give these a try, you will want to try adding Port to a number of your favourite recipes! Just make sure that the flavours of the meal complement the bottle itself.