Champignons farcis

This is a very satisfactory way of serving mushrooms.  It makes an excellent starter worthy of any dinner party.  It can also be served as a supper dish.

Preparation Time: 10 Mins

Cooking Time: 30 Mins

Total Time: 40 Mins

Ingredients

For 4 servings…

680 gms           Mushrooms  - stalks trimmed   

                     Pepper      

                     Salt          

                     Olive oil    

1 slice              Bread  - crusts removed         

80 gms            Butter       

1 clove             Garlic  - chopped finely          

1                    Onion  - chopped finely          

110 gms           Ham  - cooked        

1 bunch            Parsley  - chopped    

1                    Egg  - beaten           

Method

Heat an oven to 180°C.

Break off the stalks from the mushrooms and set them aside.

Butter an ovenproof dish.  Place the mushroom caps in it, gill side down.  Season them with salt and pepper and brush them lightly with oil.  Bake in the oven for 12—15 minutes, depending on the size of the mushrooms.  When cooked, turn off the oven, but leave the mushrooms in it to keep them hot.

To make the stuffing…

Cut the bread into small pieces and soak it in warm water.  Melt two-thirds of the butter in a frying pan and gently fry the garlic and onion until just golden.

Squeeze the liquid from the bread and chop the mushroom stalks and ham with it.  Add this mixture to the frying pan, stir and cook over a low heat.

Chop the parsley and add half of it to the stuffing.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.  Remove the pan from the heat and add the beaten egg to the stuffing a little at a time - mixing well.

Turn over the mushroom caps so that the gills are facing upwards.  Fill them generously with the stuffing, piling it well on top.  Sprinkle the remaining parsley on top and place a pat of the remaining butter on each one.  Place under the grill for about 4minutes to heat through and brown and then serve at once.

Wine recommendations

          A white wine.

  Conventional

           Vouvray sec

  Interesting

           Côtes du Rhône Villages blanc

           Pinot Gris

           Riesling