Portobello And Porcini Broth Recipes

POTATO AND PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM GRATIN

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cups hot water and porcini in small bowl. Let stand until mushrooms soften, about 30 minutes. Drain, reserving 2/3 cup soaking liquid. Chop porcini; set aside. Remove and chop stems from portobellos; place in large bowl. Using small spoon, scrape away dark gills from portobellos and discard. Cut portobello caps into 1/2-inch pieces; add to bowl.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped portobello stems and caps and sauté 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and reserved porcini and sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat each of two 13x9x2-inch glass baking dishes with 1 tablespoon oil. Combine remaining 7 tablespoons oil, potatoes, parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper in large bowl; toss to coat. Layer 1/6 of potato mixture in each prepared dish (there will not be enough to overlap slices). Top potatoes in each with 1/4 of mushroom mixture. Repeat layering. Top with remaining potatoes. Pour 1/3 cup reserved porcini soaking liquid over potatoes in each dish. Cover dishes with foil.
• Bake gratins 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until tops are brown and potatoes are tender, about 40 minutes longer. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Cover with foil and rewarm in 350°F oven about 20 minutes.)
• *Dried porcini mushrooms are available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores and many supermarkets.

ITALIAN CHICKEN STOUP WITH PORCINI, PORTOBELLO AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Char the pepper on a gas burner or under the broiler with the oven door slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Place the evenly charred pepper in a bowl, cover and cool. Peel and seed the pepper, and then chop.
• Meanwhile, place the dried mushrooms in a small pot with the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer a few minutes to soften mushrooms. Once tender, turn off the heat.
• While the dried mushrooms are softening up, heat the EVOO in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and brown 2 minutes. Add the portobello mushrooms and brown until dark, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the onions, garlic, chile pepper, rosemary and bay leaf. Season with some salt and pepper and cook to soften, 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir 1 minute. Add the wine and stir. Add the porcini mushrooms and their stock, all but the last few spoonfuls, as grit may have settled here. Add 3 cups water, the stewed tomatoes, chicken and chopped roasted red peppers. Bring to a low boil, and simmer 15 minutes. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat, adding water if necessary to thin.
• Serve in shallow bowls. Top with the shaved pecorino and parsley, and bread for mopping.

PORTOBELLO-PORCINI CACCIATORE

Steps:

• Put the dried mushrooms in a pot and cover with a couple of cups of water, bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer until the mushrooms soften.
• Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven heat the extra-virgin olive oil, 4 turns of the pan, over medium high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until dark and tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the thyme, chile, garlic, peppers and onions and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, then add the wine and stir. Remove the reconstituted mushrooms from the liquid, chop and then add them to the sauce pot. Pour in all but last few spoonfuls of the mushroom liquid stock into sauce pot, the grit will settle at the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomatoes, breaking them up with spoon then add the basil leaves and simmer the sauce 20 minutes. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal and reheat over medium flame, stirring occasionally.
• Boil large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the hot pot. Add the bitter and stir to melt. Pour in half of the sauce and toss. Serve in shallow bowls with more mushroom cacciatore on top. Garnish with lots of grated Romano.