Mushroom & Chestnut Wellington Recipe | Waitrose & Partners (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for chestnuts in beef Wellington? ›

Don't panic if you can't find chestnuts, you could try walnuts or hazelnuts instead – and these Wellingtons use ready-made puff pastry, so they really couldn't be easier.

Seared portobello mushrooms are layered with apple cider-caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, which are seasoned with soy sauce for flavor and bolstered with walnuts for texture. The rich mushroom filling is vegan, and the entire dish can easily be made vegan, too.

One of the closest relatives to the chestnut, the beech nut, also has a nuttier flavor overall. The beech nut and the chestnut trees come from the same tree family.

Beef Wellington is a nice cut of meat, usually a fillet steak, beef tenderloin, or filet mignon. It uses the center-cut portion of the meat that is known to be the most tender and juicy part of the cow. The meat is wrapped in a mustard sauce, then a mushroom duxelles and prosciutto.

Pureed roasted garlic and shallot with a bit of herbs, cooked down till almost dry would work well. You could use a drier cheese, maybe a blue with bacon and red wine, some tomato, to do something similar. I like the anchovy paste idea as well. Mustards or horseradish could work as well.

What do I serve with beef Wellington? Simple steamed or sautéed greens work perfectly well as a side for beef Wellington, especially with a good glug of homemade gravy drizzled over the top. Otherwise, creamy mashed potatoes make an even more indulgent Wellington side dish that tastes divine.

You can also follow the recipe to step 5 of 'making the wellingtons' and freeze the wellingtons, uncooked, and keep frozen up to 3 months in advance. When you want to cook them, defrost thoroughly in the fridge and bake as above.

Chinese chestnuts produce nuts that are similar in size and flavor to American chestnuts, which makes them a good substitute for culinary purposes. While there are some differences in flavor between the two species, many people find that Chinese chestnuts are a good replacement for American chestnuts.

450g fresh chestnuts (weighed in their shells) are equivalent to 175g dried, reconstituted chestnuts, or 350g tinned or vacuum-packed nuts.

Alternatives to Chestnut Wood

Wormwood and reclaimed wood are ideal for those who appreciate the rustic look, but for those who prefer a more polished appearance, finding an alternative to American chestnut wood is essential. In these cases, oak is a great option.

What is a non nut chestnut alternative? ›

Pumpkin or Sunflower Seeds: Unsalted seeds are a nice substitute in nut muffin recipes, and they can be roasted for more flavor. Pumpkin and squash seeds also work well and add a seasonal flair to recipes. If you're using small seeds, consider reducing the amount you use.