Grilled Walnut Olive Bread With Exotic Mushrooms Food

GRILLED FLATBREAD WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• For the dough: Stir together the sugar in 2 cups warm water in a medium bowl until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let sit until the mixture becomes slightly foamy, about 5 minutes. If the mixture doesn't become foamy, it means the yeast is dead; throw the mixture out and start over with a new packet of yeast.
• Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix on low speed until combined. Add the yeast mixture and the olive oil and knead on low speed for 4 minutes. Raise the mixer speed to medium-low and knead until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, about 6 minutes. Raise the mixer speed to medium and mix until the dough is smooth, pliable, and elastic, 5 minutes more. Lightly oil a large, clean bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• For the mushrooms: Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add half of the portobello mushrooms, half of the oyster mushrooms, 3 sprigs thyme and half of the bay leaf to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms no longer give off liquid and are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add a pinch of salt, stir and transfer the mushrooms to a large bowl. Return the pan to the stovetop over medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. When it has melted, add the remaining mushrooms, thyme and bay leaf. Cook the second batch in the same manner as above. Add a pinch of salt, stir and transfer the mushrooms to the bowl with the first batch. Set aside.
• To assemble: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. If you'd like to grill your crust first, preheat a grill for cooking over medium heat.
• Dust your work surface with flour and cut the dough in half. Using your fingertips, press out each piece into an oval roughly 12 inches long and 4 inches wide. If grilling crust first, brush the dough with olive oil and place on the grill. Grill until cooked through and well-marked on each side, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and transfer the flatbreads to the prepared pans. If not grilling, simply transfer one piece of dough to each of the prepared pans and brush with olive oil.
• Divide the mushrooms evenly between the two crusts and top with the truffled Pecorino and the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake until the cheese has melted and the flatbreads are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes if the crusts were grilled and 17 to 20 minutes if not (if your oven can't accommodate both flatbreads on the center rack, use the upper and lower racks and rotate and switch their positions halfway through). Garnish with chives and serve immediately.

EXOTIC MUSHROOM AND WALNUT PATE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread walnuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Toast for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned.
• In a large saute pan, cook shallots in butter over medium heat until translucent. Then add chopped mushrooms, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid has evaporated.
• Process toasted walnuts and olive oil in a blender or food processor until mixture forms a thick paste. Spoon in the cooked mushroom mixture, and process to desired texture.
• Pack mixture into well-oiled ramekins or bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

MUSHROOM STEAK SALAD WITH WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook steak in 1 tablespoon olive oil until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), 4-6 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet; let stand for 5 minutes before slicing., Meanwhile, in the same skillet, saute mushrooms until tender. In a small bowl, combine vinegar and thyme. Whisk in walnut oil and remaining olive oil. Stir in walnuts. , Divide salad greens and shallot between 2 serving bowls. Cut steak into slices. Top salads with steak and mushrooms. Drizzle with dressing; sprinkle with cheese.

WALNUT-OLIVE BREAD

Steps:

• Combine the yeast, sugar and water in a bowl, and let stand for 5 minutes. When the mixture is foamy, stir in the remaining ingredients. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes in a mixer with a dough hook or by hand until it is smooth, shiny and elastic. (The dough can also be made in a food processor.) Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
• Punch the dough down, roll it into 2 oblongs (about 8 inches long, 4 inches wide and 3 inches high), and place in oiled loaf pans. Let rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool before slicing.

GRILLED WALNUT OLIVE-BREAD WITH EXOTIC MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the grill until it is quite hot.
• Cut the bread into 8 3/4-inch-thick slices. Lightly brush each slice with olive oil. Wash and trim the mushrooms. Thread the mushrooms on skewers by size (large ones together on one skewer, small ones on another). Brush the mushrooms with oil, and sprinkle with garlic, salt and pepper.
• Just before serving, grill the mushrooms over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until cooked. Grill the bread slices for 30 seconds per side, or until toasted. Put the bread on warm plates, and top each slice with with mushrooms. Garnish with parsley sprigs, lemon wedges and thin shavings of cheese.