A Beginners’ Guide to Cooking with Madeira Wine (+ Free Recipes)

Madeira wine is a fortified wine that originates from the Portuguese island of Madeira. The wine is produced using local grape varieties such as Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malvasia. Madeira wine has a unique flavour profile that is often described as being sweet and nutty with notes of caramelized fruit. The wine is also known for its high acidity and long finish.

How to Cook with Madeira Wine

Madeira wine is most commonly used as a cooking wine, and it can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. A great inclusion in making your family recipe book. Madeira wine is often used to deglaze pan-fried meats or to make reductions for sauces. The wine can also be added to stews or casseroles to add depth of flavour. When cooked, Madeira wine will become more concentrated and sweeter, so it is important to adjust the seasoning of your dish accordingly.

Madeira wine pairs well with chicken, pork, beef, and lamb dishes. The wine can also be used in desserts or served alongside cheese plates. If you are looking for a specific food pairing for your Madeira wine, consult a wine guide or ask your local wine retailer for suggestions.

Tips on how to cook with Madeira wine

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of cooking with Madeira wine:

• When using Madeira wine as a deglazing agent, be sure to remove the pan from the heat before adding the wine. This will prevent the alcohol from evaporating and will allow the wine to better absorb into the dish.
• If you are using Madeira wine to make a reduction, cook the sauce until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. This will concentrate the flavours and prevent the sauce from becoming too sweet.
• When cooking with Madeira wine, be sure to taste your dish as you go and adjust the seasoning accordingly. The wine will become more concentrated and sweeter as it cooks, so you may need to add more salt or acid to balance the flavour.

Madeira Substitute

If you don’t have any Madeira wine on hand, you can substitute it with sherry, brandy, or port. These wines will have a similar flavour profile to Madeira but will not be as sweet. If using Madeira wine substitute, you may need to adjust the seasoning of your dish accordingly. For example, if you use sherry instead of Madeira, you may need to add more sugar to balance the acidity.

When storing Madeira wine, be sure to keep it in a cool, dark place. Madeira wine does not improve with age and should be consumed within a year of purchase. Once opened, Madeira wine will last for up to six weeks if stored properly.

Recipes with Madeira Wine

1. Beef Stroganoff with Madeira Wine

Ingredients:

– 1 pound beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 1 onion, diced

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

– 1 cup Madeira wine

– 1 cup beef broth

– 2 tablespoons tomato paste

– 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

– 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

– 1 (8-ounce) package mushrooms, sliced

– 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions:

1. In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides.

2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the flour and Madeira wine and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add the beef broth, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.

5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the beef is tender about 1 hour.

6. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.

7. Stir in the sour cream and cook until heated through about 2 minutes.

8. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

2. Chicken Cacciatore with Madeira Wine

Ingredients:

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces

– 1 onion, diced

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 red bell pepper, diced

– 1 green bell pepper, diced

– 1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes, undrained

– 1 cup Madeira wine

– 1/4 teaspoon salt

– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and chicken and cook until browned on all sides.

2. Add the onion, garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, Madeira wine, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

3. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.

4. Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or polenta.

3. Salmon with Madeira Wine Sauce

Ingredients:

– 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets

– 1/4 teaspoon salt

– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 1/2 cup Madeira wine

– 1/2 cup chicken broth

– 1 tablespoon lemon juice

– 1 tablespoon butter

– 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions:

1. Season the salmon fillets with salt and black pepper.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the salmon and cook until browned on both sides and cooked through for about 8 minutes.

3. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside.

4. In the same skillet, add the Madeira wine, chicken broth, lemon juice, butter, and thyme.

5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

6. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the sauce over top.

7. Serve immediately.

Conclusion

Cooking with Madeira wine is easy and can add a unique flavour to your dish. Madeira wine pairs well with beef, chicken, and fish. When choosing a Madeira wine for cooking, be sure to select a dry style. Sweet Madeira wines are best reserved for drinking. When cooking with Madeira wine, be sure to use it sparingly as it is a very potent wine. A little goes a long way!