Can I substitute porcini mushrooms...

[Eminybob]

I’m making this:
thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/jamie-olivers-allotment-cottage-pie-with-root-veg-porcini-mushrooms-marmite-and-crispy-rosemary

And I don’t want to use mushrooms as DH despises them. The recipe calls for them to be wizzed up into a gravy with water, onions, tomato purée and marmite.
I was thinking if I just leave them out it might be a bit bland, so thought I could add a veggie stock cube instead? Or something else?

thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/jamie-olivers-allotment-cottage-pie-with-root-veg-porcini-mushrooms-marmite-and-crispy-rosemary

I also hate mushrooms so would substitute caramelised shallots and a touch of truffle oil. It will be a bit sweeter but will still add that depth of flavour.

Thanks

No truffle oil but will see what else I can rustle up

I would sub in some sun dried tomatoes, which will add some umami and depth of flavour

He is using the mushrooms to give a bit of body/texture and flavour to the gravy, so instead you could make a rich tomato sauce or perhaps a creamy peppercorn sauce, or a thick rich red wine and onion gravy.

I love the sundried tomatoes idea!

I made that recipe and didn’t have porcini so I just used fresh mushrooms. I also didn’t have marmite (and refuse to allow it to darken my door) so I used a combination of Worcester sauce and soy instead. The mushrooms get all wazzed up and I don’t taste them at all, as stated above they just add a bit of texture.

I ended up not substituting anything, and it was still really tasty actually. I let the sauce really reduce down and caramelise which I think helped. I may use the sun-dried tomato idea next time though.

I made far too much though so added some stock to the leftover filling and whizzed it up into soup for my lunch today (and tomorrow!) which was very nice indeed.

Glad it was tasty!