Mushroom Duo
Spring is finally here ... daffodils are the first flowers that bloom in my 'garden'.
I didn't grow up eating mushrooms. In fact, my first exposure to them came in the form of canned mushrooms which, texturally, didn't appeal to me at all.
And then I discovered fresh mushrooms, especially the ubiquitous white, button mushrooms that are often found on sale. They used to be available loose in grocery stores but now, they're usually packaged in half and full pound versions, sliced or whole.
BUYING TIPS for button mushrooms: If possible, buy them whole as they'll last longer. Also, make sure that the mushrooms in the package are compact and white without the browning 'gills' being exposed. Gills are an indicator of maturing/mature mushrooms and the flavour is more intense. If you want a 'cleaner' presentation, stick to the young, solid white mushrooms. Size is not an indicator of maturity so don't be fooled. There's also less wastage if you buy young mushrooms since, as they mature, the stems become tough and 'woody' and you'll want to discard them.
Bacon and Mushroom Quiche
I used one of the pre-baked shells from the coconut cream pie recipe. With the additional baking and the savoury filling the pastry was perfect, backing up my belief that under-baking was one reasons for the disappointing cream pie result.
Bacon and Mushroom Quiche - serves 1
1 5 1/2 inch pre-baked pie shell
1 large egg
1/3 cup milk
pinch of salt
pinch of ground nutmeg
2-3 strips crispy bacon, sliced
1-3 (depending on size) mushrooms, diced
2-3 tbsp grated cheddar cheese
Preheat the oven to 375 deg Fahrenheit.
Place the pie shell on a baking sheet to prevent spillage during transport. Spread the bacon and mushrooms over the base of the pie shell. Sprinkle some of the cheese over the top.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, salt and nutmeg. Pour the custard mixture over the contents of the pie shell. Sprinkle the rest of the grated cheddar over the top.
Transfer the baking sheet and quiche into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the custard is set. Let cool and serve with a salad for a light lunch.
Mushroom and Shrimp Scampi
Mushroom and Shrimp Scampi - serves 2
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound white button mushrooms, sliced and diced
1 small red, orange or yellow sweet pepper, medium diced
9-12 large raw shrimp, peeled except for the tail
2-3 tbsp green onion tops for garnish
salt and white pepper to taste
1/4 tsp garlic powder
200 gm fettuccine or spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
In a small bowl, combine the raw shrimp, a pinch or two of salt and the garlic powder. Let sit for a few minutes.
In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add the butter and olive oil. When hot, add the mushrooms. Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp of salt over the top and saute until most of the moisture is gone and the mushrooms are lightly golden. Add the diced peppers and saute for another couple of minute until barely tender.
Push the vegetables to one side and add the seasoned shrimp. Saute just until the start getting pink on one side and then turn and continue sauteing until the second side is also pink and the shrimp have started to curl up. Combine the shrimp and veggies, taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
Add the cooked pasta, stir through to coat with the butter and olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning a final time.
Divide the pasta evenly onto two plates, sprinkle the green onion tops over the pasta and serve
BONUS: Tortilla pizzas topped with the last of the mushrooms in the veggie crisper.
I didn't grow up eating mushrooms. In fact, my first exposure to them came in the form of canned mushrooms which, texturally, didn't appeal to me at all.
And then I discovered fresh mushrooms, especially the ubiquitous white, button mushrooms that are often found on sale. They used to be available loose in grocery stores but now, they're usually packaged in half and full pound versions, sliced or whole.
BUYING TIPS for button mushrooms: If possible, buy them whole as they'll last longer. Also, make sure that the mushrooms in the package are compact and white without the browning 'gills' being exposed. Gills are an indicator of maturing/mature mushrooms and the flavour is more intense. If you want a 'cleaner' presentation, stick to the young, solid white mushrooms. Size is not an indicator of maturity so don't be fooled. There's also less wastage if you buy young mushrooms since, as they mature, the stems become tough and 'woody' and you'll want to discard them.
Bacon and Mushroom Quiche
I used one of the pre-baked shells from the coconut cream pie recipe. With the additional baking and the savoury filling the pastry was perfect, backing up my belief that under-baking was one reasons for the disappointing cream pie result.
Bacon and Mushroom Quiche - serves 1
1 5 1/2 inch pre-baked pie shell
1 large egg
1/3 cup milk
pinch of salt
pinch of ground nutmeg
2-3 strips crispy bacon, sliced
1-3 (depending on size) mushrooms, diced
2-3 tbsp grated cheddar cheese
Preheat the oven to 375 deg Fahrenheit.
Place the pie shell on a baking sheet to prevent spillage during transport. Spread the bacon and mushrooms over the base of the pie shell. Sprinkle some of the cheese over the top.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, salt and nutmeg. Pour the custard mixture over the contents of the pie shell. Sprinkle the rest of the grated cheddar over the top.
Transfer the baking sheet and quiche into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the custard is set. Let cool and serve with a salad for a light lunch.
Mushroom and Shrimp Scampi
Mushroom and Shrimp Scampi - serves 2
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound white button mushrooms, sliced and diced
1 small red, orange or yellow sweet pepper, medium diced
9-12 large raw shrimp, peeled except for the tail
2-3 tbsp green onion tops for garnish
salt and white pepper to taste
1/4 tsp garlic powder
200 gm fettuccine or spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
In a small bowl, combine the raw shrimp, a pinch or two of salt and the garlic powder. Let sit for a few minutes.
In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add the butter and olive oil. When hot, add the mushrooms. Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp of salt over the top and saute until most of the moisture is gone and the mushrooms are lightly golden. Add the diced peppers and saute for another couple of minute until barely tender.
Push the vegetables to one side and add the seasoned shrimp. Saute just until the start getting pink on one side and then turn and continue sauteing until the second side is also pink and the shrimp have started to curl up. Combine the shrimp and veggies, taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
Add the cooked pasta, stir through to coat with the butter and olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning a final time.
Divide the pasta evenly onto two plates, sprinkle the green onion tops over the pasta and serve
BONUS: Tortilla pizzas topped with the last of the mushrooms in the veggie crisper.