Wild Mushroom Toasts

By DenaK

Ingredients

• 1 lb. wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, maitakes, hedgehogs, or morels
• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more as needed
• Kosher salt
• 2 medium shallots, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche (about 4 oz.)
• 1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 18 slices baguette (cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from finecooking.com

Preparation

Step 1

Melt 1 Tbs. of the butter together with 1 Tbs. of the oil in a 10-inch straight-sided sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and a generous pinch of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until any liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms are nicely browned, 5 to 8 minutes. (If the mushrooms are dry and the pan begins to scorch, add a drizzle of olive oil.) Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the mushrooms to a cutting board. Let them cool slightly and chop them coarsely.

Return the pan to the stovetop over medium heat and add the remaining 1 Tbs. butter and 1 Tbs. oil. When the butter has melted, add the shallots, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the shallots are tender and lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Return the mushrooms to the pan, stir in the crème fraîche (if you’re making this ahead, see the note below), and cook, stirring, to coat the mushrooms with the crème fraîche. Stir in the parsley and season with several grinds of pepper. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and hold in a warm spot.

position an oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler to high. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and brush them with olive oil. Broil until the bread is golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and toast the other side, about 1 minute. Spread the warm mush­room mixture on the toasts, sprinkle some of the Parmigiano-Reggiano on top, and serve.

Make Ahead Tips

The mushroom topping can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated, but hold back about half of the crème fraîche. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the mushrooms over low heat and add the rest of the crème fraîche (don’t overheat or the cream will break).

This is a favourite among my dinner guests. I have cut back on the creme fraiche, and used a mixture of farmed mushrooms, without a significant loss in flavour. The fresh thyme is a necessary ingredient. Simple and elegant; the best kind of appetizer.