Perfect spices for Christmas Eve mushroom dumplings
Christmas Eve dumplings, or ravioli, might seem like a small addition, but many people give them special attention. After all, the most important dinner of the year begins with borscht featuring these dumplings, served to everyone, making the effort worthwhile. While guests choose other dishes, selecting spices for the filling requires caution. Too many spices can overpower the mushrooms' natural aroma. So, what spices help bring out their flavor?
Most commonly, Christmas Eve borscht features ravioli with a mushroom filling, sometimes mixed with sauerkraut. Some prepare ravioli with button mushrooms, a practical choice when small children are at the table, as forest mushrooms are not recommended for young kids. Others enjoy ravioli with porcini or bay boletes filling. With a few simple spices, these dumplings become a real treat.
Essential spices for mushroom ravioli
Before discussing the filling, let's discuss the additives when soaking mushrooms. Whether you're soaking caps in warm water, milk, or broth, add two bay leaves and two-quarters of white onion to the container. The onion extracts bitterness, and the essential oils in the bay leaves add a delicate, spicy, herbaceous note.
After soaking and squeezing out the mushrooms, toss them into a pan with a couple more ingredients. Sautéed finely chopped onions cooked in real butter will give the filling a pleasant, creamy finish. Add one small clove of garlic to the onions— finely chopped or pressed—if you prefer a spicier flavor.
Salt and pepper are indispensable spices. However, it's best to add freshly ground pepper at the end because it can lose its aroma during mushroom sautéing. Since Christmas Eve ravioli are small, aim for finely ground pepper so nobody bites into a large piece.
What else can be added to the filling?
A less obvious spice for ravioli is marjoram, which is often added to Christmas Eve borscht. Marjoram highlights the forest aroma of mushrooms and imparts slightly sweet notes, perfectly balancing the sharp taste of pepper. Furthermore, the spice positively affects the digestive system, soothing indigestion and preventing bloating, unfortunately common during holiday feasting.
How to add marjoram?
Dried marjoram, which has a more concentrated aroma than fresh, is excellent for Christmas Eve dishes. Crush a teaspoon of dried marjoram in your hands and add it at the final stage of preparing the filling.
Other spices that pair well with ravioli
Mushroom-filled ravioli pair well with nutmeg, which enhances the filling with rich, nutty notes. Thyme is also a good addition, being slightly milder than marjoram. It makes the filling more delicate and fresh. For ravioli with cabbage and mushrooms, consider adding ground cloves.
