Mushroom Brunch Food

SPINACH, MUSHROOM AND CHEESE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Grease a 9-by-13-inch (3-quart) casserole dish with oil.
• Toss the bread cubes with 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bread to the skillet, and cook, tossing occasionally, until toasted and golden brown, about 8 minutes. Return the toasted bread to the bowl to cool.
• Wipe out the skillet. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer. Add the mushrooms in one layer (resist the urge to stir right away), and cook until they start to brown, about 3 minutes; stir, then continue to brown for 2 minutes more. Add the garlic, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt and some pepper, stir continuously for 1 minute, then fold in the spinach and another 1/4 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the spinach is wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Place half the bread cubes in the prepared casserole dish, and sprinkle them with half each of the Gruyere and Parmesan. Add the mushroom-spinach mixture in an even layer. Top with the remaining bread cubes, Gruyere and Parmesan.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Pour the egg mixture into the casserole dish. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours up to overnight. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the casserole until the custard is set and the top is golden brown, 50 to 55 minutes. Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.

MUSHROOM BRUNCH

Steps:

• Slice the mushrooms and crush the garlic clove. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan, then fry the garlic over a low heat for 1 min. Add the mushrooms and cook until soft. Then, add the kale. If the kale won't all fit in the pan, add half and stir until wilted, then add the rest. Once all the kale is wilted, season.
• Now crack in the eggs and keep them cooking gently for 2-3 mins. Then, cover with the lid to for a further 2-3 mins or until the eggs are cooked to your liking. Serve with bread.

MAKE-AHEAD SPINACH AND MUSHROOM BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or grease with butter.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted and beginning to brown; about 5 minutes. Add the spinach, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook until spinach just begins to wilt, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and set aside to cool.
• Whisk the eggs, milk, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl. Gently whisk in the cooled mushroom mixture, then pour the egg mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until puffed and set, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Place the English muffins cut-side up on a baking sheet and brush with some butter if using. Bake until slightly toasty, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, use a large round biscuit cutter (about 3 3/4 inches in diameter) or the rim of a juice glass to cut out 6 rounds of egg. (For ways to use the leftover egg scraps, see Cook's Note.) Using an offset spatula or a butter knife, remove each egg round from the pan and place on bottom half of an English muffin. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese and the other muffin half. Wrap each sandwich individually with aluminum foil, put in a resealable plastic bag and freeze up to 1 month or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• To reheat, unwrap a sandwich and place on a paper towel on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and eggs are warmed through. Alternatively, thaw a foil-wrapped frozen sandwich overnight in the refrigerator, then bake in a 425-degree F oven until warmed through and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.

BRUNCH-STYLE PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Place mushrooms, stem side up, in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Spoon spinach onto mushrooms, building up the sides. Carefully crack an egg into the center of each mushroom; sprinkle with cheese and bacon., Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.

MUSHROOM HASH WITH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the onions for a few mins. Cover the pan and leave the onions to cook in their own steam for 5 mins more.
• Tip in the mushrooms with the thyme and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 mins until softened. Add the tomatoes and paprika, cover the pan and cook for 5 mins until pulpy. Stir through the seed mix.
• If you're making this recipe as part of our two-person Summer Healthy Diet Plan, poach two of the eggs in lightly simmering water to your liking. Serve on top of half the hash with a sprinkling of fresh thyme and some black pepper. Chill the remaining hash to warm in a pan and eat with freshly poached eggs on another day. If you're serving four people, poach all four eggs, divide the hash between four plates, sprinkle with thyme and black pepper and serve with the eggs on top.

MUSHROOMS ON TOAST

Steps:

• Heat a wide skillet over high heat and add butter, swirling pan. When butter begins to sizzle, add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add thyme and garlic, and stir to coat. Season well with salt and pepper and continue to sauté for a minute more, then add sherry, if using. Add crème fraîche and let mixture simmer 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast bread slices until golden. Lightly butter them and place on individual warm plates.
• Spoon mushrooms and juices over toasted bread. Top with chopped parsley.