Serves: 4

For the Oysters
2 dozen oysters
For the Aioli:
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
For the Ragout:
1 cup diced thick-sliced hickory-smoked bacon
1 or 2 shallots, minced
1 cup wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
Leaves of 1 sprig fresh thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• preparation

Buy the oysters. When buying oysters, look for a tag with the harvest date and use them within a week of that date. Also, make sure the oysters are fresh and alive; the shells should be tightly closed or should close when tapped.
An hour before shucking, scrub the oysters with a stiff brush under cold running water to remove any grit. Set them aside to relax muscles in shell. They will open with more ease.

Shuck the oysters. Hold the oyster, curved-side down, in a towel on a cutting board. Insert an oyster knife between the shells at the narrow pointed end. (Use a real oyster knife-there is no substitute!) Press down firmly on the oyster to prevent slipping and twist the knife to pry the shells apart. Use the knife for leverage; do not use force. Cut the muscle that connects the oyster to the top shell with the knife, being careful not to pierce the meat. Remove the top shell. Slide your knife under the oyster to loosen it, keeping the meat and liquid in the shell. Use your knife to carefully scrape away any shards of shell.

Make the aioli. Blend the garlic, egg yolks, lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with the motor running and process until thick. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the aioli to a bowl, then cover and refrigerate.

Prepare the ragout. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp. Add the shallots and mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, stirring. Add the garlic, cook 3 minutes, then add the butter and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the oysters. Preheat the broiler. Place the oysters, in their shells, in individual baking dishes or one large dish. (Put a crumpled sheet of foil underneath them to keep them steady, if necessary.) Top each with a spoonful of mushroom ragout.

Finish the dish. Top each oyster with a dollop of aeoli. Broil until the aeoli is golden, about 2 minutes, and serve immediately.

Serves: 4

6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
5 tbsp. unsalted butter
8 oz. hen of the woods, chanterelle, or morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved if large
1/2 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1¾ cups (12 oz.) orzo
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ cup cream
½ cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

• preparation

Heat chicken stock in a small saucepan over medium heat; set aside and keep warm. Heat butter in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add mushrooms and cook until golden, 5–7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a bowl; set aside. Add shallots and garlic to saucepan; cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes.
Add orzo, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes. Add reserved stock ¼ cup at a time, cooking until each addition is absorbed before adding next amount. Cook, stirring often, until liquid has all been used and orzo is tender, about 25-30 minutes. Add cream and cook, stirring, until liquid is creamy, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in reserved mushrooms, Parmesan, salt, and pepper; serve with additional Parmesan on the side.

Serves: 6

1 pound white asparagus, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 pound green asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots (2 large)
1/4 pound fresh morels, cleaned and halved lengthwise if large
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Garnish: chopped fresh tarragon

• preparation

Cook white and green asparagus separately in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes for white asparagus; about 3 minutes for green asparagus.
Transfer asparagus with a slotted spoon to a colander and rinse under cold water (to stop cooking), then drain again. Pat dry.
Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shallots, stirring, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add morels and sauté, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, tarragon, salt, pepper, and remaining 3 tablespoons butter and sauté, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Serve immediately.

Serves: 6

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces (170g) bacon, roughly chopped
3 pounds (1 1/2 kg) beef brisket, trimmed of fat (chuck steak or stewing beef) cut into 2-inch chunks
1 large carrot sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 large white onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons flour
12 small pearl onions (optional)
3 cups red wine like Merlot, Pinot Noir, or a Chianti -- for a milder sauce, use only 2 cups of wine
2-3 cups beef stock (if using 2 cups of wine, use 3 cups beef stock)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (divided)
2 bay leaves
1 pound fresh small white or brown mushrooms, quartered
2 tablespoons butter

• preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat the oil in a large dutch oven or heavy based pot. Sauté the bacon over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until crisp and browned. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large dish and set aside.
3. Pat dry beef with paper towel; sear in batches in the hot oil/bacon fat until browned on all sides. Remove to the dish with the bacon.
4. In the remaining oil/bacon fat, sauté the carrots and diced onions until softened, (about 3 minutes), then add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain excess fat (leave about 1 tablespoon in the pan) and return the bacon and beef back into the pot; season with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Sprinkle with flour, toss well and cook for 4-5 minutes to brown.
5. Add the pearl onions, wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered. Then add the tomato paste, bullion and herbs. Bring to a simmer on the stove.
6. Cover, transfer to lower part of the oven and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fall apart tender (adjust the heat so that the liquid simmers very slowly).
7. In the last 5 minutes of cooking time, prepare the mushrooms:
Heat the butter in a medium-sized skillet/pan over heat. When the foam subsides, add the remaining 2 cloves garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then add in the mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes, while shaking the pan occasionally to coat with the butter. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Once they are browned, set aside.
8. Place a colander over a large pot (I do this in my clean kitchen sink). Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully empty its contents into the colander (you want to collect the sauce only). Discard the herbs
9. Return the beef mixture back into the dutch oven or pot. Add the mushrooms over the meat.
10. Remove any fat off the sauce (if any) and simmer for a minute or two, skimming off any additional fat which rises to the surface.
11. You should be left with about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat the back of a spoon lightly.
If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of stock. If the sauce is too thin, boil it over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until reduced to the right consistency.
12. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper, if desired. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables.
13. If you are serving immediately, simmer the beef bourguignon for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes or noodles.
14. To serve the following day, allow the casserole to cool completely, cover and refrigerate.
The day of serving, remove from refrigerator for at least an hour before reheating. Place over medium-low heat and let simmer gently for about 10 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce.

Serves: 4

2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1 pound beef sirloin, sliced into thin strips
1 cup sliced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons Knorr brown sauce mix
1/2 cup cold water
4 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained

• preparation

In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat to a smoking point. Add meat and brown lightly for a minute.
Transfer meat to a bowl and set aside. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms.
Saute for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add red wine. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. In a mixing bowl stir brown sauce mix and cold water.
Mix into sauce. Bring to a boil. Add beef and sour cream.
Heat to boiling point. Serve over hot cooked egg noodles.

Serves: 6

2 1/2 pounds salmon fillet
to taste salt and pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 ounces butter
24 mushroom caps
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 ounces fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 cups cooked rice

• preparation

PREPARATION
Bone and skin salmon. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Wash and drain the mushroom caps. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Saute the mushroom caps in half of the butter, for two minutes on each side. Alternate salmon pieces and mushroom caps on metal or bamboo skewers. Dip in remaining melted butter and roll in fresh bread crumbs.
Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute the salmon brochettes until evenly golden brown.
PRESENTATION
Spoon the hot rice in the middle of warm plates. Arrange a brochette on each plate. Serve the hot sauce over the brochettes.

Serves: 4

• 12 ounces campanelle
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
12 ounces Hen of the Woods Mushrooms sliced
¼ cup white wine, vegetable broth, or chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons fresh parmesan cheese divided
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped optional

• preparation

1. Heat olive oil over medium high heat and cook garlic and mushrooms until mushrooms are tender.
2. Stir in wine (or broth) and cook until wine has almost evaporated. Add heavy cream and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions (do not rinse).
4. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese, and lemon zest until smooth.
5. Toss with pasta. Top with parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Serves: 4

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 chicken breasts, split and skinned
4 ounces fresh morels
4 artichokes hearts, each cut in 8 wedges and tossed with lemon juice
2 teaspoons kosher salt
pepper to taste
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup peas

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear until browned on all sides. Place in large baking dish. Surround with morels and artichoke hearts. Season with salt and pepper. Pour enough chicken broth in dish to cover one half of the chicken. Push the morels and artichokes down into the liquid.
Bake until chicken is tender. Add the peas and bake for 5 minutes. Place vegetables around chicken.

Serves: 6

6 chicken breasts
to taste salt and pepper
1/4 cup flour
4 ounces diced bacon
2 teaspoons Cognac
3 cup burgundy wine
2 cups chicken stock
2 cloves minced garlic
1 sprig thyme
1 bay leaf
24 pearl onions
8 ounces mushrooms
4 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon cornstarch

• preparation

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour. Fry bacon in a frying pan until crisp. Brown chicken in bacon fat on all sides.
Pour the cognac over chicken.
Ignite then add wine, stock, garlic, thyme and bay leaf.
Cover chicken and cook in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel and boil the pearl onions until tender. Saute onions and mushrooms in half of butter. Add to chicken together with bacon. Mix remaining butter and cornstarch.
Arrange chicken pieces in a deep serving dish.
Thicken the sauce with butter mixture whisking until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour sauce over chicken.

Serves: 4

4 skinless chicken breast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound fresh spinach
3 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons chopped shallots
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 ounces cubed Swiss cheese
1/2 pound sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup chopped tomatoes
8 fresh basil leaves

• preparation

Pound chicken breasts lightly between sheets of plastic wrap. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wash and rinse spinach.
Heat half butter in saucepan or skillet. Add shallots. Cook briefly and then add spinach and nutmeg.
Cook until spinach is wilted and moisture has evaporated. Remove spinach from pan and cool.
In center of each chicken breast place equal portion of spinach along with cheese.
Fold sides of and then ends over the stuffing. Place the chicken in steamer and steam for 5 minutes.
Melt remaining butter in small pan. Add remaining ingredients and reduce to half. Serve over chicken. Garnish with basil leaves.

Serves: 6

6 boneless chicken breasts*
2 tablespoons oil
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 clove garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups milk

• preparation

Brown chicken in 2 tablespoons oil.
Remove to roasting pan.
Saute the mushrooms and add to the chicken. Crush the garlic clove and add with spices to pan.
Mix the soups with the milk and heat in the frying pan. (This deglazes the pan).
Pour over the chicken and bake about 1 hour at 350 F.

* Use a combination of chicken breasts and thighs, if desired.

Serves: 4

1 3-pound chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 pound small mushrooms
1 cup peeled, seeded, chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken bouillon
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

• preparation

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a heavy skillet and add the chicken, skin side down. Cook for 10 minute, or until golden brown. Turn the pieces. Add the garlic, onion, rosemary, thyme and mushrooms. Cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes.
Pour off the fat in the pan and add tomatoes, wine and bouillion. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Thicken the sauce by reducing it briefly over high heat. Add the parsley or basil and serve.

Serves: Serves 8

3 tablespoons butter
1 medium chopped onion
1/2 pound chopped mushrooms
1 pound ground chicken breast
1 teaspoon tarragon
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/3 cup diced prosciutto
1 egg, beaten
8 sheets phyllo dough

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a skillet melt half of the butter. Add onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add mushrooms and cook until soft. Add chicken ,salt , tarragon, and garlic. Cook until chicken is brown.
Mix in cheese, Prosciutto, and egg.
Brush 1/2 filo sheet with melted butter.
Spoon 1/3 cup chicken mixture on narrow edge and fold in sides.
Roll up and place, seam side down on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining sheets of dough.
Brush the rolls with remaining butter. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

Serves: 4

2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sherry wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chicken broth
1 tablespoons cornstarch
1 pound lean pork loin, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon grated ginger
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1 cup sliced snow peas
1 tablespoons canola oil

• preparation

In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients.
Heat a wok on high heat. Add oil. Slosh around. Stir fry pork with garlic and ginger until meat is whitish.
Add the gravy ingredients and stir until sauce is thickened. Add onion, celery and mushrooms, tossing for a while. Finely, add snow peas and mix for about 2 minutes. Serve with soy sauce.

Serves: 6

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillet
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup velouté sauce
3 hard boiled eggs

1 tablespoon melted butter
1 recipe brioche dough (see recipe below)
1 egg, beaten
2 cups velouté sauce

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash salmon; pat dry. Remove any bones and skin and cut in equal halves. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
Sauté onion in oil. Add the mushrooms and parsley. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Mix in the cooked rice and 1/2 cup velouté sauce.
Roll out brioche dough into a rectangle 1/4 inch thick. Place on a baking sheet. Arrange a layer of onion rice mix , over the whole length of dough to within one inch from edges. Top with one piece of salmon.Place hard boiled eggs over salmon and top with second piece salmon so that eggs are sandwiched between salmon .
Brush edges of dough with egg. Fold over mix. Seal all edges and roll pastry so that seam is underneath. Brush dough with egg. Decorate with pieces of dough. Let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes.
To serve:
Place the whole coulibiac on a platter for display. Slice into portions. Serve on warm plates. Serve velouté sauce separately.

BRIOCHE DOUGH FOR COULIBIAC

1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup flour

3 eggs
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
6 ounces soft butter
1 1/2 cups flour

PREPARATION
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water with the sugar. Add the flour to make a soft dough. Set the dough in warm place until it doubles in volume.
Beat in the eggs, flour, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the butter and remaining flour and mix well. Transfer the dough to a working surface. Knead for about 10 minutes. Form into a ball. Place into a clean large bowl. Cover with film wrap. Let rise at room temperature until dough doubles in volume. Punch dough down. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Serves: 4

4 cups fiddleheads, trimmed and cleaned
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups fresh morels, cleaned
2 1/2 pounds lobster, steamed, meat cut into 1/2-inch pieces
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

• preparation

Blanch the fiddleheads in salted boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain. Heat the oil in a skillet
Sauté the morels for 2 minutes. Add the fiddleheads and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the lobster meat.
Mix and season with salt and pepper.

Serves: 6

4 ounces butter
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
12 2-ounces fillets of sole
1/2 cup wine
2 cups fish fumet
4 ounces cooked mussels
4 ounces cooked shrimp
6 medium fluted mushrooms
1 cup velouté sauce
1/4 cup heavy cream
12 fleurons

• preparation

Butter a baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped shallots.
Fold the fillets in half and arrange in the pan. Pour over the wine, fish fumet, and the mussel cooking juice.
Cover with parchment paper and bring to a boil on top of the stove. Bake at 350 degrees .F (180 C) for about 5 to 8 minutes.
Arrange the fish fillets on a serving platter.
Garnish with the mussels, shrimp, and fluted mushrooms.
Prepare the velouté sauce with the cooking liquid and fish stock.
Stir in the cream and simmer for 10 minutes or until sauce is medium thick. Pour over the fish. Garnish with fleurons and serve hot.

Serves: 6

3- 1-pound packages frozen puff pastry
Flour for rolling

For the mushrooms:
2 large Portobello mushrooms
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
salt and pepper

For the onions:
3 tablespoons butter
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup red wine
salt and pepper

For the spinach and cheese:
1 cup cooked chopped spinach
6 ounces blue cheese
For the beef:
6- 5 to 6 ounce center-cut beef tenderloins
salt and pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

• preparation

Prepare the pastry and fillings:
The frozen puff pastry usually comes in sheets.
Two in each 1-pound package. Thaw pastry. Unwrap each sheet. Sit a 10-inch round cake pan on pastry.
With a sharp knife, cut out pastry sheets into 10-inch rounds. Lightly score a 4 by 3-inch rectangle in the center of each pastry round. Do not cut through the pastry.
Extend the lines of the rectangle and cut out the corners as shown in sketch.
Use scraps to cut out 12 leaves or other shapes to use as decoration. Layer the pastry rounds between sheets of wax paper.
For the mushrooms:
Slice the portobello into strips. Heat a heavy skillet over high heat. Add oil, garlic, mushrooms, thyme and rosemary.
Stir until mushrooms are brown. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl.
For the onions:
Melt butter in a heavy skillet. Add onion and cook over low heat until onion are caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add Sherry wine and cook until pan is dry. Season with salt and pepper.
Set aside to cool.
For the fillets:
Heat a heavy skillet over high heat. Add oil and sear fillets 3 minutes on each side.
Season with salt and pepper. Transfer fillets to a plate. Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the sauce:
Pour 1 cup red wine in skillet. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir a package of brown sauce mix in cold water. Pour in skillet with wine. Whisk until thickened. Set sauce aside.
Assemble the wellingtons:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line the prepared pastries on a work surface.
Spread half of the well drained spinach over center of pastries. Divide blue cheese and well drained onions into six equal portions and spread over spinach.
Top with fillet, mushrooms and remaining spinach. Fold each side panel onto top to seal the content of pastry.
Turn the packages and arrange on a baking sheet seam side down. Decorate with pastry cut outs Brush pastries with a beaten egg.
Bake in for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is at 110 degrees. Be sure that the tip of the thermometer is inserted in the center of the package.
Set cooked wellingtons aside no longer than 10 minutes. The sealed fillets continue to cook out of the oven.
Cut each wellington in half. Arrange on warm plates and serve immediately.

Serves: 4

4 boneless pork chops
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
5 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• preparation

1. Place the pork chops between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them with the flat side of a meat tenderizer until they're 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.

2
If using fresh mushrooms, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms have released their juices and the liquid is mostly evaporated. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and set aside.

3
In the same skillet, melt the butter, add the flour, and whisk until the flour is dissolved. Continue to whisk constantly until the mixture is a rich, deep golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.

4
Slowly add the beef broth, whisking constantly, until combined. Return the mushrooms to the skillet. If using canned mushrooms, you will add them at this point. Bring the gravy to a simmer, reduce to low, and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes or until the gravy is thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

5
While the gravy is simmering, dip the chops in the flour, the egg, and the breadcrumbs. Do not press the breadcrumbs into the meat. Coat gently but thoroughly, and shake off the excess crumbs.

6
Fry the Schnitzel for about 2-3 minutes on each side. When they are a deep golden brown, transfer them to a plate. Serve immediately with the mushroom gravy and your choice of sides.

Serves: 6

6 lamb shanks, about 1 1/4 pound each
to taste salt and pepper
3 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons crushed black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
8 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
3 cups dry red wine
2 heads garlic, halved crosswise
4 ribs celery, cut into large dice
4 carrots, cut into large dice
1 large onion, peeled and cut into small wedges
1 cup mushrooms, thickly sliced


ROASTED GARLIC AND WHITE BEAN PUREE
Makes about 3 cups

1 1/2 cups dry Great Northern beans
1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 rib of celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cloves of garlic (1 smashed and 1 minced) and 1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
6 cups chicken broth
Coarse salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup heavy cream

• preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Season shanks with salt and pepper. In a large, high-sided oven proof pot, heat the oil until barely smoking.
Sear the shanks in batches until brown on all sides. Put all the shanks in the pot; add peppercorns, bay leaves, stock, wine, garlic, celery, carrots, onions and mushrooms.
Put the pot in the oven and cook until meat is tender, about 2 hours. (can be made a day ahead).
Remove the shanks, mushrooms and onions and set aside. Cover with foil.
Strain the braising liquid into a medium saucepan. Degrease carefully and simmer to reduce the cooking liquid to about one third.
Pour sauce over the shanks and vegetables.
Serve with roasted garlic and white bean puree.

ROASTED GARLIC AND WHITE BEAN PUREE

1. Soak the beans overnight. Or place beans in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat; remove from heat and set aside, covered, for 1 hour.
2. Drain the beans; transfer to a 2-quart pot with the diced onion, celery, carrot, smashed garlic, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, 5 cups of broth, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat; simmer until beans are very tender, about 90 minutes. If the mixture becomes dry, add some of the remaining broth.
3. Drain the beans; discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Warm the beans in a pan over medium heat. Add the cream, thyme leaves, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let simmer. Cook until the cream is reduced and is almost dry on the beans, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Puree the beans in a food processor. Adjust seasonings.

Serves: 4

1 cup lentils
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 ounces Button Mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
2 large eggs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup Marinara sauce

• preparation

Combine the lentils and 2 quarts water in a medium stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are soft about 20 minutes. Drain the lentils and allow to cool.

Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil to a large frying pan and sauté the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and salt over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to brown. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 more minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, add the lentils to the vegetable mixture.

Add the eggs, Parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley, and walnuts to the cooled vegetable mixture and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated. Place in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.

Shape the mixture into mini burgers (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the vegetable mixture firmly. Place in the prepared baking dish, allowing 1/4-inch of space between the burgers.

Roast for 30 minutes, or until the mini burgers are firm and cooked through.
serve with marinara sauce.

Serves: 4

4 tablespoons butter or extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
2 pounds mixed mushrooms, such as portobello, shiitake or oyster, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cups peeled pearl onions
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion peeled and diced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup dry red wine (Pinot noir, or Beaujolais)
1 ½ cups beef, mushroom or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1 bay leaf
Polenta for serving
Chopped parsley, for serving

• preparation

Heat 2 tablespoons butter or oil to a large Dutch oven or pot. Cook the mushrooms until they are brown. You might have to do this in batches. Use a slotted spoon to transfer mushrooms to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add another 2 tablespoons butter and brown the onions, seasoning them as you go. Transfer to bowl with mushrooms.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add another tablespoon butter or oil to pan. Add sliced carrots and minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste and flour and then add wine, broth, soy sauce, thyme and bay leaf, scraping up the brown bits at bottom of pot.
Add reserved cooked mushrooms and pearl onions back to the pot and bring to a simmer. Partly cover the pot and simmer on low heat until carrots and onions are tender and sauce is thick, 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and add season if needed. Discard the bay leaf.
Serve mushroom Bourguignon over polenta, topped with parsley.

Serves: 6

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 chopped shallots
2 tablespoons flour
1 quart beef stock
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried savory
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 sliced carrots
20 small white onions, peeled
1/4 cup canola oil
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, cut into quarters
chopped parsley for garnish

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees In a heavy casserole, heat butter and oil. Brown beef with shallots.
Add flour, cook to brown, then mix in beef stock and wine. Bring to a boil.
Season with salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste, garlic, savory and thyme.
Cover casserole and bake for 2 hours.
Add carrots and potatoes to stew 1/2 hour before meat is cooked. Blanch white onions in boiling water. Drain.
Heat oil in a frying pan.
Fry onions and mushrooms until brown and tender.
Add to stew when meat is tender. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Serves: 4

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 shallots, finely minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper, to season
150ml cream
400g dried orecchiette pasta
150g shiitake mushrooms
2 tbsp finely chopped chives
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Dried shiitake mushrooms

• preparation

1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and cook the shallots and garlic until fragrant. Add the mushrooms. Season well with salt and pepper and fry, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until very well browned.
2. Add the cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. While the mushrooms are cooking, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions until just al dente. Drain well and add to the simmering mushrooms, tossing to coat in the sauce for just a minute or two.
4. Divide the pasta among warm serving plates and, using a rasp grater, scatter the dried shiitake mushrooms on top. Finish with the chives and parmesan cheese and serve.

Serves: 8

2 ounces dried porcini mushrooms
2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 large shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 scallions, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
One 3-pound center-cut trimmed beef tenderloin in 1 piece
3 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
7 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chilled

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Soak the porcini in the boiling water for 20 minutes. Rub the porcini in the soaking liquid to remove any grit; pat dry and coarsely chop. Transfer the porcini to a mini food processor and puree.

Melt the butter in a medium skillet. Add the shallots and cook over moderately low heat until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the scallions and cook until softened, 2 minutes. Stir in the porcini puree. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.

Season the roast with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet. Sear the roast over moderately high heat until browned all over; let cool.

On a work surface, slightly overlap three 16-inch pieces of wax paper. Arrange the pancetta on the paper in 4 overlapping rows to form a rectangle the length of the tenderloin. Spread the porcini puree over the pancetta. Set the tenderloin on the bottom edge of the pancetta. Using the wax paper as a guide, tightly roll up the roast in the pancetta. Carefully peel off the wax paper.

Tie the roast with kitchen string at 1-inch intervals. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and brush with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil. Roast the beef for 25 minutes, or until the pancetta is crisp and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the meat registers 120 degrees.

Let rest for 10 minutes. Cut off the strings and remove. Thickly slice the roast with a serrated knife and serve.

Serves: 6

12 ounces fresh fettuccini
1 chicken cube
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 pound boned and skinned chicken scallopine
to taste salt and pepper
1/2 pound chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/2 pound asparagus tips, cooked
2 artichoke bottoms, sliced
1 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup pesto
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese

• preparation

In large pot of boiling salted water add chicken cube . Stir to dissolve . Cook pasta in water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta, rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly.
Place in a large bowl. Cut the chicken into small strips. Heat oil in a sauté pan over high heat.
Quickly stir fry chicken strips. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken to an oven proof casserole dish.
Add mushrooms and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Combine chanterelle mushrooms with chicken. Steam to heat asparagus tips and artichokes.
Heat marinara sauce in a medium saucepan. Heat chicken and mushrooms until chicken is fully cooked.
To serve:
Heat fettuccini in boiling water. Drain well. Transfer to a large serving platter. Spoon marinara sauce over pasta. Garnish pasta with chicken, mushrooms, vegetables, and spoon pesto in center of pasta. Serve at once, with fresh parmesan cheese.

Serves: 4

8 pork scallopine, thinly sliced from loin or tenderloin
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 1/2 cups brown sauce
For chestnut puree:
1 pound canned whole chestnuts
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon honey

• preparation

Season pork scallopine with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour.
Heat butter in a non-stick frying pan. Brown pork scallopines about 3 minutes on each side.
Set aside on a plate.
Add mushrooms, pickles, capers and vinegar to pan. Heat for 5 minutes.
Add brown sauce.
Add pork slices and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
Chestnut puree:
Drain and rinse chestnuts. Puree in a food processor with cream and honey until smooth.
Serve pork with garnish and chestnut puree.

Serves: 4

2 ounces dried black trumpet or other dried mushrooms
1 egg
salt and black pepper to taste
flour for dredging
2 racks of lamb, boned and trimmed
4 medium leeks, trimmed of hard green parts, split in half, well washed and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon butter
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces fresh shiitake, trimmed and cut into chunks
2 cloves garlic, lightly smashed
2 sprigs thyme

• preparation

In a coffee grinder or spice grinder, grind dried mushrooms to the consistency of coffee. Set aside.
Beat egg in a bowl, with salt and pepper. Dip lamb in flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into egg, and then into mushrooms.
Pat mushrooms to adhere; coat lamb heavily. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
Cook leeks in salted boiling water. Drain, and puree with butter. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve. In a medium skillet, heat half of the oil. Saute mushrooms, garlic and thyme until mushrooms are tender.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place remaining oil in an oven-proof skillet. Heat to medium-high. Add lamb.
Cook for 2 minutes on one side. Turn and place skillet in the oven for 5 to 6 minutes for rare, medium-rare, (125 degrees) or longer for medium. Let lamb rest for 5 minutes then cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices.
Place a dollop of leek purée on each plate; top with portions of mushrooms. Place lamb on top.

Serves: 6

3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
5 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cup arborio
rice
8 oz pound sliced Cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms, debris rinsed from mushrooms and drained
1 small bunch of fresh asparagus spears (about 1 pound)
1 cup fresh English peas
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup light cream
1 tablespoon tamari
1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, for ten minutes, then add the minced garlic. Cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, until the onions are well browned. Deglaze with the wine and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
Add 4 cups broth and stir in the rice. Cover the pot and bake until rice is tender and cooked through, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Prepare the mushrooms. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet. Add the cleaned, sliced mushrooms to the pot with a dash of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are darker in color, fragrant and have soaked up most of their own juices, about 10 minutes.
Prepare the asparagus by snapping off the tough ends and discarding them, then slicing the spears into 1-inch long pieces. Cook the asparagus in boiling water for 5 minutes. Add the peas and cook 2 to 3 more minutes. Drain the asparagus and peas in a colander.

Remove the pot from the oven. Pour in the remaining hot broth, cream, asparagus, peas, Parmesan, butter, tamari, salt, and a generous amount of pepper. Stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Stir in the mushroom mixture and any remaining juices. Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide into bowls and top with a generous sprinkling ofparsley.

Serves: 4

1 small leg of lamb (about 2 pounds)
2 lamb kidneys, cut into small cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced mushrooms
2 tablespoons chopped truffles
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped
to taste salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon oil for roasting
2 tablespoons Madeira wine
1 cup diced vegetables (carrot, celery, onion)
1 1/2 pounds puff pastry
1 egg
to taste salt and ground black pepper

• preparation

Bone the leg of lamb without opening completely and leave shank bone attached.
In a sauté pan, heat olive oil over high heat, and briskly sauté the lamb kidney pieces.
Deglaze with Madeira wine. Add mushrooms and truffles, thyme, rosemary, and tarragon.
Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside until cool.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stuff boned leg of lamb with the kidney mixture.
Close opening with a trussing needle and twine. Rub stuffed leg of lamb with oil; season with salt and pepper. Place diced vegetables, lamb bones and trimmings in a roasting pan.
Arrange leg of lamb on top of vegetables, and roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove lamb, and cool.
Also, remove twine before wrapping in pastry dough. Add 2 cups of water to the pan and boil to make 1 cup of lamb juice. Strain. Remove fat, and set aside.
Roll out puff pastry to about 1/4 inch thickness. Brush surface with beaten egg.
Place lamb on top and cover with dough, leaving shank bone uncovered. Decorate pastry with any trimmings. Brush dough with egg again. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and bake for 20 more minutes for medium-rare.
Carve the lamb, and serve with the lamb gravy. Potatoes Savoyarde are served with this dish .

Serves: 4

2 ounces butter
1 tablespoon shallots, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 ounces flour
1 1/2 cups milk, scalded
1/4 teaspoon white pepper, ground
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
8 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
4 ounces mushrooms, diced
1 ounce butter
5 egg yolks
5 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 tablespoon flour

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Melt butter in a saucepan. Add shallots and wine. Reduce over medium heat until wine is almost evaporated. Stir in the flour and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Pour the milk in the roux. Whisk and heat until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil. Season with pepper and nutmeg.
Mix in the chopped salmon and the mushrooms sauteed in butter. Stir in the egg yolks. In the bowl of a mixer, combine the egg whites with cream of tartar and whip the egg white mix until medium firm. Fold into the salmon mixture. Butter and flour a 7 inch (17.5 cm) round souffle mold.
Spoon the souffle mix into mold.
Bake 30 minutes at 350 F.(180 C). Serve immediately.

Serves: 8

8 ounces spaghetti
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Tomato beef sauce:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon each dried oregano and basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 pound lean ground beef
2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 each carrots and zucchini, grated
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1 28-ounce can tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Cheese sauce:
2 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
salt to taste

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Tomato beef sauce:
In Dutch oven, heat oil. Cook onion, garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme, for about 4 min. Add beef. Cook breaking up with spoon until no longer pink. Add mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, and pepper. Cook stirring often until liquid is evaporated. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and vinegar.

Cheese sauce:
In saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour, stirring for 1 minute. Add milk; whisk until sauce boils and thickens. Transfer to bowl; let cool 10 minutes. Blend in ricotta, egg and cheese.
Cook spaghetti for 5 minutes or until almost tender but still firm. Drain and toss with beef sauce.

Spread in a baking dish (13x9-inch). Spoon cheese sauce over. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 40 minutes.

Serves: 10

1 lb shelled edamame thawed or fresh
1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 ounces (110 g) sliced mushrooms, shiatake or crimini
1/3 cup water
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon low salt soy sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chickpea flour or cornstarch
Oil, for frying

• preparation

Combine the edamame, chickpeas, mushrooms, water, garlic, cumin, soy sauce and salt and pepper in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer into a large bowl.
Add the flour and mix well
Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to make it easier to handle when forming the patties.
Shape mixture into 10 patties.Dust both sides of the patties with chickpea flour or cornstarch.
Heat the oil in a sauté pan and fry the patties for 4 to 5 minutes on each sides, or until golden brown on both sides.
Serve on top of a spinach sald, or on a toasted bun.

Serves: 6

Tofu marinade:

5 tablespoons, about 3 lemon grass stalks, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 teaspoons Sambal oelek (chili paste)
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound tofu, firm, pressed and drained, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
3 tablespoons soybean oil or olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts,
2/3 cup Asian basil leaves (halve large leaves)
5 cups cooked farro wheat and brown basmati rice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup sliced Wood ear mushrooms
1 cup sliced brown mushrooms
3 tablespoon shallots, minced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups cooked Chinese long beans, cut into 2 inches
salt and pepper to taste


1 cup micro greens (cilantro, baby spinach and arugala)
1/4 cup lemon grass vinaigrette (recipe below)
1/4 cup fried shallots (recipe below)


To serve:
Place a portion of the tofu on top of the rice. Toss the micro greens with the lemon grass vinaigrette. Place on top of the tofu. Garnish with the fried shallots.
Drizzle the dish with a little lemon grass vinaigrette and sprinkle with the remaining peanuts.

Lemongrass Vinaigrette

Yield: 1 cup
8 Lemon grass stalks, fleshy bottom third only, minced
1 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons Thai bird chile, minced
2 tablespoons Fish sauce

Fried Shallots

Yield: 2/3 cup
Ingrediends
1/2 cup shallots, cut crosswise into 1/8 inch thick slices
1 cup vegetable oil

• preparation

Pound the lemon grass and ginger with a mortar and pestle to pulverize. Add the sambal oelek, soy sauce, turmeric, sugar, and salt, and mix well to form a paste. Add the tofu and turn gently to coat evenly. Marinate for 30 minutes or longer.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small sauce pot over low heat. Add the onions and garlic. Season with salt. Let cook covered 1 minute, add 1 tablespoon water, and continue to cook, covered, until the onions are translucent and soft—approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the marinated tofu (there should be enough room in the pan for all the tofu pieces to be in a single layer). Shake pan slightly and let the tofu brown all over, using chopsticks or a wooden spoon to turn the pieces periodically so they cook evenly. Cook, uncovered, until tofu is lightly browned. Remove from heat and transfer to a heated platter. Set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon oil to frying pan and toss in the onion mixture. Cook over medium heat until onion is tender. Add tofu to warm. Adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt and sugar. Add half of the peanuts and Thai basil leaves. Remove from heat.

For the farro or rice:
Heat a sauté pan over high heat and add oil. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and sauté until just tender. Add the garlic, shallots, and long beans, and cook until hot and aromatic. Add the cooked farro or rice to the mushrooms and beans and divide between 6 individual serving plates.

To serve:
Place a portion of the tofu on top of the rice. Toss the micro greens with the lemon grass vinaigrette. Place on top of the tofu. Garnish with the fried shallots.
Drizzle the dish with a little lemon grass vinaigrette and sprinkle with the remaining peanuts.

Lemongrass Vinaigrette

In a small saucepan, bring the lemon grass, vinegar, and sugar to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and boil until the liquid is reduced by about half, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove from the heat and strain, discarding the lemon grass. Add the remaining vinaigrette ingredients, mix well, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Note: For a vegetarian version of this sauce, replace the fish sauce with soy sauce.

Fried Shallots

Spread the shallots out on paper towels and allow to air dry for 30 minutes.
Combine the shallots and oil in a skillet and bring to a slow boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the shallots are golden, about 15 minutes. Stir so the shallots brown evenly.
Remove with a slotted spoon or strain the oil through a wire-mesh sieve. Transfer the shallots to a plate or tray lined with paper towels. Discard the oil or save it for later use in stir-fries. Once cool, the shallots are ready to use. If stored in a jar with a tight lid at room temperature, the shallots will keep up to 1 week.

Serves: 4

4 portobello mushrooms, trimmed
Pinch each salt and pepper
2 tsp (10 mL) olive oil
2 shallots, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp (2 mL) fresh thyme
10 cups (2.4 L) packed baby spinach, chopped
2 tbsp (30 mL) golden raisins
1/4 cup (60 mL) crumbled Light feta cheese
3 tbsp (45 mL) shreddded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp (30 mL) sliced natural almonds

Mixed Lemony Rice:
1 cup (250 mL) 15-minute rice, blend
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped fresh chives
4 tsp (18 mL) lemon juice

Lemon Yogurt Sauce:
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh mint
1/2 tsp (2 mL) grated lemon zest

• preparation

Mixed Lemony Rice: In large saucepan, cook rice with salt according to package directions. Stir in chives and lemon juice.

Meanwhile, arrange mushrooms, stemside up, on lightly greased rimmed baking sheet. Bake in 450 F (230 C) oven until browned and tender, about 15 minutes. Using tongs, tip mushrooms to discard any liquid; pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, in skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook shallots, garlic and thyme until garlic is fragrant, 1 minute. Add spinach; cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 3 minutes. Add raisins; cook, stirring, until no liquid remains, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in feta cheese. Spoon into mushrooms. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and almonds. Bake until cheese is melted and almonds are browned.

Lemon Yogurt Sauce: In bowl, stir together yogurt, mint and lemon zest. Serve with stuffed mushrooms and rice.

Serves: 4

4 slices bacon
4 small veal cutlets
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sherry
8 shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
1 cup fiddleheads, trimmed and cleaned

• preparation

Cut bacon across into small pieces. Cook in a skillet until brown. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Season the veal cutlets with salt and pepper. Dust with flour. Sauté veal in skillet with bacon fat until browned on both sides and cooked through. Remove veal from pan. Cover and keep warm.
Melt the butter in the skillet. Add garlic and cook for a minute. Add the sherry and deglaze the pan.
Add the shiitakes, fiddleheads and reserved bacon, and cook for 5 minutes.
Divide the veal among 4 plates. Spoon the sauce over and serve immediately.

Serves: 4

2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil
1/2 red pepper, thinly sliced
1 tsp (5 mL) chopped garlic
1 onion, sliced
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup (250 mL) thinly sliced cabbage or fennel
6 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) Gruyere, mozzarella or cheddar, grated
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 oz (250 g) frozen puff pastry, defrosted
1 egg, beaten with a pinch of salt


Spiced Pesto Vinaigrette
1/2 cup (125 mL) pesto
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
1/2 tsp (2 mL) hot pepper sauce
2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Heat olive oil in skillet on medium-high heat. Add peppers and sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic, onion, zucchini, cabbage and mushrooms. Sauté until crisp tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and drain off any liquid. Stir in parsley and cheese. Season with salt and pepper and cool.
Roll out pastry to a 10 x 14-inch (25 x 35-cm) rectangle. Pile vegetables along upper third of pastry lengthwise, leaving a 1 inch wide border on short sides. Brush all sides with beaten egg. Fold short ends up over filling, then roll into cylinder, cutting off pastry excess. Place seam-side down on cookie sheet and prick top. Brush with egg.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Whisk together pesto, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Cut strudel in slices and drizzle some sauce over.
This recipe is adapted from the LCBO Food and Drink Magazine in Ontario, Canada

Serves: 4

3/4 cup (175 mL) no-salt added vegetable broth
1 tbsp (15 mL) sodium-reduced soy sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 large russet potatoes, about 700 g total
2 tsp olive oil
1 pkg (227 g) button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1-1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 can (540 mL) lentils, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup (60 mL) milk
2 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp grainy mustard

• preparation

In small bowl, whisk together broth, soy sauce, cornstarch and half each of the salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside.

Using fork, prick potatoes all over. Microwave on high, turning once, until fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook mushrooms, onion, carrot and thyme, stirring occasionally, until softened and no liquid remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in lentils; cook for 1 minute.

Stir in broth mixture; cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in 3 tbsp of the parsley. Scrape into 6-cup (1.5 L) casserole dish.

Peel potatoes. Using potato masher, mash together potatoes, milk, half of the butter and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir in remaining parsley and the mustard. Spoon over mushroom mixture, spreading to edge; dot with remaining butter. Broil on centre rack until top is golden, 3 to 5 minutes.

Serves: 6

1 pound white asparagus, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 pound green asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots (2 large)
1/4 pound fresh morels, cleaned and halved lengthwise if large
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Garnish: chopped fresh tarragon

• preparation

Cook white and green asparagus separately in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes for white asparagus; about 3 minutes for green asparagus.
Transfer asparagus with a slotted spoon to a colander and rinse under cold water (to stop cooking), then drain again. Pat dry.
Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shallots, stirring, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add morels and sauté, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, tarragon, salt, pepper, and remaining 3 tablespoons butter and sauté, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Serve immediately.

Serves: 4

FOR THE TOPPING:
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray

FOR BEANS AND SAUCE:
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in an 8-quart saucepan. Add the beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to give up some of their liquid, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and nutmeg and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the half-and-half. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the remaining onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Serves: 6

200 g dried porcini mushrooms
500 g fresh mushrooms (you can use a variety like button, cremini, or portobello)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
200 ml heavy cream
200 ml milk
50g grated Parmesan cheese
50g grated Gruyere cheese
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh thyme leaves for garnish (optional)
500g (1 lb) potatoes, thinly sliced (optional, for a potato layer)

• preparation

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Start by rehydrating the dried porcini mushrooms. Place them in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 20 minutes or until they are soft. Drain and chop them coarsely.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until they become translucent.

Add the fresh mushrooms and rehydrated porcini mushrooms to the skillet. Cook them until they release their moisture and start to brown. This should take about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a separate saucepan, heat the heavy cream and milk over low heat. Once it's warm, add half of the grated Parmesan and half of the grated Gruyere cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Season with a bit of salt and pepper.

If you want to add a layer of potatoes, arrange the thinly sliced potatoes in a greased baking dish first. Then layer the mushroom mixture on top.

Pour the cheese sauce over the mushrooms and potatoes (if using).

Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and Gruyere cheese on top of the gratin.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the gratin is bubbling.

Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired and serve your delicious gratin aux porcini hot.