Mushroom Fontina Melt Recipes

MUSHROOM FONTINA MELT

Steps:

• Heat a saute pan until hot. Add the mushrooms, lower the heat to medium, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook until mushrooms release liquid and start to brown and wilt, 3 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon oil and continue cooking until mushrooms are softened. Add the shallots and saute for 3 minutes longer, adding more oil if needed. Pour in the vinegar and cook until absorbed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the herbs.
• Spread some of the oil onto 1 side of the bread slices, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Heat the remaining oil in a large saute pan. Lay the cheese over 2 of the bread slices, and top evenly with the mushrooms. Add all 4 bread slices to the pan. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes, and then cover and continue cooking until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes longer. Assemble and serve.

SLICED MUSHROOMS WITH MELTED FONTINA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Arrange mushrooms in a single layer in a baking dish. Drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Broil for 2 minutes. Remove dish from oven, and add thyme and cheese. Broil for 1 minute. Serve warm.

CREAMY MUSHROOM-FONTINA PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the package directions. Drain and reserve ¾ cup of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté half of the mushrooms, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes; transfer to a plate. Repeat with 2 tablespoons butter and the remaining mushrooms, transferring them to the plate with the rest of the mushrooms.
• Add the shallots to skillet and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms back to the skillet, along with the wine; cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the reserved cooking liquid and bring to a boil. Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and season with 1 teaspoon salt.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta, cheese and parsley, tossing with the sauce until the pasta is coated and the cheese starts melting. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND FONTINA

Steps:

• In a large sauté pan or frying pan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of the butter. When bubbly, add the mushrooms, raise the heat to medium high, and sauté, tossing often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Do not let brown. Season with salt and a little nutmeg and remove from the heat. Cover to keep warm.
• Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to 425 degrees F . Butter a 2 1/2-qt. baking dish.
• In a deep, heavy saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a rapid boil. Add 2 tsp salt and, while stirring continuously with a long-handled spoon, gradually add the polenta in a thin, steady stream until all has been incorporated. Continuing to stir constantly to keep lumps from forming, reduce the heat until the mixture only bubbles occasionally. Continue to cook, stirring, until smooth and creamy, about 20 minutes; be careful to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to avoid sticking or lumping. Remove from the heat. Cut the remaining 1/4 cup butter into small cubes and add to the polenta, a few cubes at a time, stirring until melted after each addition. The polenta should be soft and spreadable.
• Spread one-third of the polenta over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the mushrooms in a layer on top, and then cover with a layer of half of the cheese slices. Repeat with half of the remaining polenta, than all of the remaining mushrooms and cheese. Top with the remaining polenta.
• Place in the oven and bake until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
• Cut into squares and serve immediately.

MUSHROOM, SPINACH, AND FONTINA PANINI

Steps:

• In a saucepan, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter over med-high heat; add in mushrooms and shallots; saute until mushrooms are softened and release their juices, 3-5 minutes.
• Continue to cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid is absorbed, 2-3 minutes longer.
• Stir in the Cognac, chopped tarragon, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook/stir, for 1 minute; let cool slightly.
• Preheat the sandwich grill; melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over med-high heat.
• Place bread slices on a work surface and brush 1 side of each with the melted butter.
• Turn and layer 1/4 of the cheese, half of the mushrooms, and half of the spinach on the unbuttered side of two of the bread slices.
• Divide the remaining cheese on top; place the remaining 2 bread slices on top, buttered sides up, and press to pack gently.
• Place the panini in the grill; close the top plate, and cook until the bread is golden and toasted, the spinach is wilted, and the cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes; serve immediately.

ROASTED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS WITH FONTINA

Steps:

• Position oven rack 6 inches from broiler. Preheat broiler. Mix first 4 ingredients in bowl. Place mushrooms, stem side up, on heavy large baking sheet. Brush with oil mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Broil mushrooms until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Place on work surface. Set oven temperature at 450°F.
• Spread Fontina cheese strips on bread. Cut each mushroom crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide strips atop each bread slice. Place bread on baking sheet. Bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.