Warm Salad Of Mushrooms And Speck Recipes

WARM SALAD OF MUSHROOMS AND SPECK

Steps:

• Trim and clean the mushrooms. Shitakes need stems removed. Portobellos need stems removed, and the black gills scraped off with a spoon so they won't blacken the entire mixture. Lobster mushrooms need a good washing in water. The small mushrooms are good left whole. Bigger ones are best torn, or cut into slices or chunks. Keep it rustic.
• While doing that, melt the butter in the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. When butter is sizzling, add the mushrooms into pan. Toss, and then let sit and cook, tossing every couple of minutes for about 6 to 8 minutes. Add a bit of coarse salt, and black pepper. Add 2 small ladlefuls of good chicken stock to deglaze the pan, stirring to meld flavors and make a nice glaze over the mushrooms.
• While still in the pan, season the mushrooms with sea salt, and add the olives and Speck. Finally, add the oregano leaves, and toss together. The mushrooms are great served warm, but they can also be great at room temperature. If not serving right away, cover the pan with foil. Just before serving, remove the foil and arrange on a nice serving platter.

WARM MUSHROOM SALAD WITH FETA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the mushrooms and sauté over a high heat for 5 mins stirring occasionally until pale golden.
• Add the garlic, thyme and lemon juice and seasoning to taste, stir well then remove from the heat.
• Arrange the lettuce in a large bowl, scatter over the remaining ingredients, then add the mushrooms and all the pan juices.
• Toss to mix and serve with crusty bread.

WARM CHANTERELLE SALAD WITH SPECK AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F. Combine 4 tablespoons oil and thyme in large bowl. Press 2 garlic cloves into oil with garlic press; whisk to blend. Add chanterelles and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Spread mushroom mixture on sheet. Roast mushrooms until tender, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes.
• Cut Speck crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in small skillet over medium-high heat. Add Speck; sauté until crisp, 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Toast ciabatta slices until golden; rub with remaining garlic clove. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Halve each slice lengthwise.
• Fill large skillet with water and bring to boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Crack eggs, 1 at a time, into custard cup, then slide egg from cup into water; reduce heat to low. Poach eggs until whites are set and yolks are softly set, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss lettuce and mâche with enough vinaigrette to coat. Mound salad on 6 plates. Using slotted spoon, remove eggs from water, dab with paper towels to absorb excess liquid, and place atop salads. Garnish with mushrooms and Speck. Place ciabatta fingers around salad and serve immediately.