Italian Style Baked Cheesy Mushrooms
I love these rustic baked mushrooms – they make a delicious main meal or a gorgeous side dish
I love these rustic baked mushrooms – they make a delicious main meal or a gorgeous side dish
- freshly ground black pepper
- sea salt
- extra virgin olive oil
- a few sprigs fresh thyme leaves picked
- 1 dried chilli
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and finely sliced
- â½ lemon
- 8 slices good-quality ciabatta bread or a few carta di mus
- 8 rashers higher-welfare smoked streaky bacon roughl
- 4 handfuls mixed wild mushrooms (such as chanterelles girolles, blewits and morels)
- 125 g scamorza or buffalo mozzarella ball
- 2 handfuls rocket washed and spun dry
- 2 heads dandelion washed and spun dry
- 2 handfuls watercress washed and spun dry
- Carbohydrate 1.1067815625 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 1.637139375 g
- Fiber 0.186140625 g
- Protein 0.2321859375 g
- Saturated Fat 0.225659625 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (47g)
- Sodium 144.7377 mg
- Sugar 0.9206409375 g
- Trans Fat 0.0503958749999998 g
- Calories 19 calories
Step-by-step
- What’s brilliant about this dish is that it’s a kind of woodland dinner, made from a bunch of wild mushrooms and weeds from the wood. Serve it as a nice autumn supper with a lovely glass of Chianti, or as a starter for a dinner party.
- Don’t worry if you can't get hold of wild mushrooms – this works just as well with chestnut or field varieties. You can find scamorza, a delicious smoked mozzarella, at Italian delis and most supermarkets, but a good-quality buffalo mozzarella works just as well.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Heat a griddle pan and toast the ciabatta slices until they have lovely dark griddle marks. Tear up the toasted bread into chunks or, if using carta di musica, break up into pieces and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Get yourself a medium-sized earthenware dish, drizzle it with a little olive oil then add the seasoned, toasted bread.
- In the same bowl you used for the bread, add the sliced garlic, chopped bacon and thyme leaves, then tear over the mushrooms, leaving any little ones whole. Crumble in the dried chilli, then use your hands to toss everything together and get all those wonderful flavours going.
- Sprinkle this mixture fairly evenly on top of the bread, then tear over big pieces of the scamorza. Give the whole lot one final drizzle of olive oil, and put it in the oven to bake for about 30 minutes, until the mushrooms are beginning to crisp up and the cheese is melted, bubbling and starting to brown.
- While that bakes, wash and dry the salad leaves, and make a simple dressing by squeezing the juice of half a lemon into a jam jar. Top with twice as much extra virgin olive oil, and add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Put the lid on and give it a good shake, then put it to one side.
- Once the mushrooms are ready, drizzle some of your jam-jar dressing over the salad (any leftover dressing will keep happily in the fridge for a few days). Serve your beautiful, baked mushrooms and salad in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in.
A Housewife's Ode to Italian-Style Baked Cheesy Mushrooms
The aroma alone is enough to transport you. Imagine: a warm kitchen, sunlight streaming through the window, and the intoxicating scent of garlic, thyme, and melting cheese filling the air. That's the magic of these Italian-style baked cheesy mushrooms. They're not just a dish; they're an experience, a taste of rustic Italy right in your own home. I've been perfecting this recipe for years, tweaking it slightly each time, and it's become a family favorite – a comforting classic that's surprisingly easy to make.
This recipe isn't just about the delicious combination of flavors; it's about the process. The satisfying crunch of the toasted ciabatta, the earthy richness of the wild mushrooms (though cultivated ones work perfectly well!), the salty tang of the bacon, and the creamy, gooey pull of the melted scamorza – it's a symphony of textures and tastes. The beauty lies in its simplicity, a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most extraordinary meals come from the simplest ingredients. It's a dish that feels both celebratory and utterly comforting, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a more elegant gathering with friends.
I love the versatility of this recipe. It can be a hearty main course on its own, served with a simple green salad, or a delightful side dish accompanying roasted chicken or grilled meats. The recipe lends itself perfectly to improvisation, too. Feel free to experiment with different types of mushrooms, cheeses, or herbs – let your creativity guide you. I’ve even been known to add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra kick. The key is to have fun with it, and to enjoy the process as much as the final result. This recipe allows you to create a stunning yet simple dish with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The beauty of a simple meal, like this, is in its ability to bring people together, creating memories as delicious as the food itself.
The preparation is straightforward, and the baking time is surprisingly short, meaning you can get this delicious dish on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. It's the perfect recipe for a busy weeknight, when you want something satisfying and flavorful without sacrificing time with your family. This dish is not merely a meal; it's a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients, transformed into something truly extraordinary.
Beyond the Recipe: This dish also reflects a deeper connection to food and seasonality. The use of wild mushrooms brings to mind autumn walks in the woods, the thrill of discovery, and the connection to nature. Even if you're using cultivated mushrooms, the dish still evokes a sense of warmth and earthiness, reminding us of the simple pleasures of cooking and sharing a meal with loved ones. The process of toasting the bread, chopping the vegetables, and combining the ingredients is a meditative one, a way to disconnect from the daily grind and focus on the joy of creating something delicious.
Serving Suggestions: A crisp, green salad tossed with a simple lemon vinaigrette is the perfect complement to the richness of the baked mushrooms. A glass of chilled Chianti enhances the overall experience, adding a touch of Italian elegance. This dish is incredibly adaptable – you can serve it as a starter, a main course, or a side dish, making it perfect for any occasion.
Memories Made in the Kitchen: This isn't just a recipe; it's a memory maker. The simple act of gathering around the table to share this dish fosters connection, conversation, and laughter. It's a testament to the power of food to bring people together, creating moments of joy and shared experience. So, the next time you're looking for a simple yet elegant dish that's sure to impress, give these Italian-style baked cheesy mushrooms a try. You won't regret it.
And remember, cooking is more than just following a recipe; it's about adding your own personal touch, your own love, and your own memories to each dish you create. So, get in the kitchen, have fun, and enjoy the delicious journey!
