Mushroom Love for V-Day
Since my sweetheart and I are long distance, we preferred a quiet evening in together than dining out on Valentines day. I kept it simple: a starter of mushroom caps, first sauteed in butter, garlic and white wine, then stuffed with italian sausage and baked (he is allergic to cheese, and these were tasty without it). I followed this with a main of aged sirloin steak with a wild mushroom cream reduction, accompanied by herb roasted potatoes and shallots:
The photos don't do the taste justice, it came out heavenly! We were actually too stuffed (and too drunk!) to eat the bread and butter pudding I had for dessert. But it occurred to me as well that I should have pulled an "Iron Chef" and made a mushroom dessert! I have no idea what that would be though, something earthy, with chocolate? I've done a little digging online and found very little (apparently candy cap mushrooms taste like maple, but not sure where I'd find them in Scotland). This recipe looks promising:
Sweet Forest Nameko Mushroom Custard Tart
For the Mushrooms
1 cup each honey, water and sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole cloves
Thin slivers of zest from an orange
Bring to boil and reduce to simmer, cook fifteen minutes. Strain out zest and spices. Be Careful! The syrup is HOT and sticky! Return to stove and add:
1 1/2 cups whole Forest Nameko mushrooms
Simmer three minutes. Remove mushrooms with slotted spoon and lay out to cool.
For the Tart Shell
1 1/4 cups pastry flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup plus 2 Tb. butter
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
For the Custard
1 cup cream or half-and-half
3 egg yolks
1/3 cup strained poaching syrup
Blend dry ingredients, cut in butter to make a course meal. Sprinkle with cider vinegar and mix very lightly and quickly. Press into a lightly greased, 9" drop-bottom tart pan. Press heavy duty foil into top of shell. Bake in 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until edges lightly brown. Remove foil. Spread drained poached mushrooms on bottom of shell. Reserve eight large mushrooms for garnish. Mix all custard ingredients, pour over mushrooms in shell and bake again until custard is set, about 25 minutes more.
From: http://www.gourmetmushroomsinc.com/fresh-recipes-desserts.htm
Has anyone here ever made a dessert with mushrooms? I'd like to give this menu another try some time!
The photos don't do the taste justice, it came out heavenly! We were actually too stuffed (and too drunk!) to eat the bread and butter pudding I had for dessert. But it occurred to me as well that I should have pulled an "Iron Chef" and made a mushroom dessert! I have no idea what that would be though, something earthy, with chocolate? I've done a little digging online and found very little (apparently candy cap mushrooms taste like maple, but not sure where I'd find them in Scotland). This recipe looks promising:
Sweet Forest Nameko Mushroom Custard Tart
For the Mushrooms
1 cup each honey, water and sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole cloves
Thin slivers of zest from an orange
Bring to boil and reduce to simmer, cook fifteen minutes. Strain out zest and spices. Be Careful! The syrup is HOT and sticky! Return to stove and add:
1 1/2 cups whole Forest Nameko mushrooms
Simmer three minutes. Remove mushrooms with slotted spoon and lay out to cool.
For the Tart Shell
1 1/4 cups pastry flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup plus 2 Tb. butter
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
For the Custard
1 cup cream or half-and-half
3 egg yolks
1/3 cup strained poaching syrup
Blend dry ingredients, cut in butter to make a course meal. Sprinkle with cider vinegar and mix very lightly and quickly. Press into a lightly greased, 9" drop-bottom tart pan. Press heavy duty foil into top of shell. Bake in 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until edges lightly brown. Remove foil. Spread drained poached mushrooms on bottom of shell. Reserve eight large mushrooms for garnish. Mix all custard ingredients, pour over mushrooms in shell and bake again until custard is set, about 25 minutes more.
From: http://www.gourmetmushroomsinc.com/fresh-recipes-desserts.htm
Has anyone here ever made a dessert with mushrooms? I'd like to give this menu another try some time!