Sunday, 30 August 2015

Mélange de Champignons – or a mixture of mushrooms!

Part 1

Mushrooms have always been up there on my top ten list of favourites.

My first contribution is a recipe that I invented in the USA when catering for a houseful of guests, some of whom were vegetarian. It proved to be a hit and has been repeated more than once since – even the most stalwart of carnivores enjoyed it. The plus with this recipe is that it stands on its own as a vegetarian dish but also lends itself as part of a larger menu.


Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
(or Portabella!)

4/6 large Portobello Mushrooms

1 medium onion, finely chopped with a drop of rapeseed oil and a knob of butter
85g breadcrumbs (or if you want an alternative
use an 85g packet of sage & onion stuffing mix)
Garlic paste or 2 crushed cloves of garlic
Pine nuts (or walnuts if you prefer) – 50g (chopped chestnuts would also be good)
Small double cream - 150ml

3oz (75g) each of grated
Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese
Red Leicester
Gruyere

Salt and black pepper
4/6oz (100/150g) grated parmesan

Pre-heat your oven 200/180fan/gas 6.

Soften the onion and garlic with the oil and butter.

Remove and discard the stalks and set the mushrooms aside on a baking tray.

Place the breadcrumbs or stuffing mix into a mixing bowl, add the softened onion and garlic together with the pine nuts. Gradually add double cream to the mixture, it should be stiff. Add the grated Cheddar, Red Leicester and Gruyere, season well with salt and black pepper.

Dampen your hands. Take a handful of mixture and work into a firm mound and pack into each mushroom.

Sprinkle grated parmesan over each mushroom.

Bake and check after 15 minutes – depends on the size of the mushrooms, they should be nicely browned.

And my final tip - you can use the mixture, with less cream, to achieve a crumble consistency and use as a topping for roasted vegetables or fish.
Hope you like!


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