Wild Mushroom PÂtÉ Food

TRUFFLED MUSHROOM PâTé

Steps:

• Put the porcini mushrooms in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Leave to soak for 10 mins.
• Melt the butter in a frying pan until foaming and fry the shallots over a low heat for 10 mins or until softened and translucent. Add the chestnut mushrooms and fry for 8 mins. Drain (freeze the liquid for stock or risotto) and finely chop the porcini mushrooms, then add to the pan, frying for another 5 mins. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min. Set aside to cool for 20 mins.
• Tip the mushroom mixture into a food processor, along with the mascarpone, vinegar, parmesan and seasoning. Blitz until smooth while drizzling in the truffle oil. Divide between six ramekins.
• For the topping, melt the butter in a small pan. When the milk solids separate and sink to the bottom, pour the clarified butter into a jug. Mix with the truffle oil and pour over each ramekin. Sprinkle with the thyme and peppercorns. Chill for at least 5 hrs. Serve with cornichons and toast, if you like.

WILD MUSHROOM PATE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread walnuts on a baking pan. Bake until fragrant, about 7 minutes. Transfer walnuts to a bowl; set aside to cool. Finely chop, and reserve.
• In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add mushrooms, scallions, and thyme, and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has been released and skillet becomes almost dry, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, and sherry. Cook until skillet is almost dry, about 10 minutes more. Remove from heat, and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine mushroom mixture with reserved walnuts, parsley, lemon juice, Tabasco, and cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Line a 3-cup mold with plastic wrap, allowing for a 4-inch overhang on all sides. Spoon the mushroom mixture into the pan. Cover with overhanging plastic, and firmly press down all over terrine with hands; spread mixture as evenly as possible. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
• Just before serving, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet, and cook halved mushrooms just until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Unwrap chilled terrine, and invert it onto a small serving platter. Surround with cooked mushroom halves, and thyme leaves. Serve with toast points, water biscuits, or any plain cracker.

WILD MUSHROOM PATE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread walnuts on a baking pan. Bake until fragrant, about 7 minutes. Transfer walnuts to a bowl; set aside to cool.
• In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter, and cook the chopped mushrooms and scallions, stirring occasionally, until liquid has been released and then skillet becomes almost dry, about 20 minutes. Stir in thyme, salt, and pepper; cook 2 more minutes. Add sherry, and cook until skillet is almost dry, 4 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. Remove from heat, and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the mushroom mixture with the reserved toasted walnuts, parsley, Tabasco sauce, and cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Line a 12 1/4-by-4-by-3-inch terrine (or use any 6-cup mold) with plastic wrap, allowing for a 4-inch overhang on all sides. Spoon the mushroom mixture into the terrine. Firmly press down all over terrine with your hands, spreading mixture as evenly as possible. Cover the mold with the overhanging plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Just before serving, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet, and cook the halved mushrooms just until tender, about 5 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper. Unwrap the chilled terrine, and invert it onto a large serving platter. Use a warm, wet towel on top of the mold, if necessary, to help loosen the terrine. Garnish the serving platter with the cooked mushroom halves, remaining walnuts, and thyme leaves. Serve with toast points or crackers.

WILD MUSHROOM PATE

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet over moderate heat.
• Saute onions and garlic until tender but not brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add mushrooms, sherry, salt, and pepper and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, over moderate heat until the mushrooms are very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Combine the mushroom mixture with the Parmesan and lemon juice in a food processor and process until smooth.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving with toast points, melba toast, pita bread, or thinly sliced French bread.

CURRIED WILD MUSHROOM PâTé

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, shallots, garlic, curry, and cumin and cook until mixture begins to brown and all liquid evaporates, stirring frequently, about 12 minutes. Cool.
• Using on/off turns, finely chop cashews in processor. Add oil and blend to coarse paste. Add mushroom mixture and chopped herbs; blend in using on/off turns until mushrooms are coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon mushroom pâté into bowl. Cover and chill 4 hours. (Can be made 3 days ahead; keep chilled.)
• Garnish pâté with herb sprigs, if desired. Serve with toasts.