Chris LaPorte’s Mushroom Port Wine Sauce

Beef is Chris LaPorte’s speciality—perfectly seasoned and cooked steaks, prime rib, country fried steak, and melt in your mouth pot roast. He’s worked in the food service industry for 23 years, and is an excellent chef/cook. His work ethic is outstanding and he’s fun to work with. Barry learned so much from him when he cooked part-time (following retiring from teaching) at the Kirby House and he say’s, “Chris was inspiring!” As the former catering manager at the Kirby House, I can also say that he was a delight to work with and always up for an adventure.

Chris currently grills steaks and cooks up an array of good food at the Hitching Post Restaurant in Old Abilene Town, Abilene, KS. (Facebook—Hitching Post)

It was definitely my pleasure/honor to be able to write a story about his many skills for the winter 2018 issue of KANSAS! magazine. This is Chris’ original recipe that was featured in that magazine. 

Chris LaPorte’s Mushroom Port Wine Sauce 

Chris serves this over grilled filet mignon.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons salted butter 

1/4 cup finely chopped shallots

1 pound crimini (baby portabella) mushrooms, sliced

1 cup port wine

1/4 cup coarse ground Dijon mustard

14-ounces (1 3/4 cups) beef broth

2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon cold butter 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sauté shallots until slightly soft.
3. Add mushrooms and cook until tender; remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Pour port wine into skillet and bring to a boil; boil until wine has reduced by about half and has a syrup-like consistency. 
5. Whisk in the mustard and beef broth; then whisk in the cornstarch dissolved in water to slightly thicken the sauce. 
6. Remove from heat and whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon cold butter to create a velvety sauce.
7. Add mushrooms back to sauce and serve over grilled steaks.

   

   Winter 2018 issue of KANSAS! Magazine
   For more more info about the magazine go to                                                                             KANSAS! webite.
   This issue also  feature Readers' Choice Weekend Getaway, 2018 (including Abilene, KS)
   + a tribute to Abilene's Joe Minick!