Mushroom, Leek and Fontina Cheese gratin

By pattynorman1947

Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 oz (4 Tbs) unsealed butter, more at room temperature for the dish
• 1 1/2 lbs medium large white mushrooms , quartered (8 1/2 ups)
• 4 tbs extra Irvin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb mixed "wild" mushrooms (such as oyster and shiitake) , trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces (7cups)
• 1 1/2 cups coarse fresh rye breadcrumbs
• 4 oz coarslely grated fontina
• 1 medium to large leeks, trimmed, white and light Green Party only, cut into 1/4 inch dice (about 2 cups) and rinsed well
• 1/2 cup vermouth
• 1 . Cup heavy cream
• 4 sprigs sage, plus 1 tbs chopped fresh sage leaves

Preparation

Step 1

Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Butter a 9 1/2 X13 inch baking dish.

in a large bowl, toss the white mushrooms with 2 Tbs of the oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Spread evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet.

Toss the "wild" mushrooms evenly with the remaining 2 Tbs oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in the bowl and spread on a second large rimmed baking sheet. Roast, stirring the mushrooms and rotating the baking sheet once, until golden -brown and liquid has evaporated about 26 minutes. Reduce the oven temp. to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile,melt 2 tbs. of the butter and pour into a medium bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and fontina and toss well.

In a 12 inch skillet, melt the remaining 2 Tbs butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and 1 tsp salt and cook, stirring often with a wooden spatula until golden , 7-10 minutes. Add the vermouth and boil, stirring and scraping up any browned bits until reduced by half 1-2 minutes.
Stir in the heavy cream, sage sprigs, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper and bring just to a boil over high heat. . Lower the heat to medium low and simmer for 5 min to infuse. Remove the pan from the heat and discard the sage leaves.

Add the mushrooms and chopped sage leaves to the leek mixture and toss to coat.Transfer to the prepared dish .Top with the bread crumbs and bake in the top third of the oven.until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 30 min.