Appetizer Spotlight FBC2017: Mushroom & Bannock Bites by Peppers & Pennies

Do you have a favourite appetizer in this year’s contest? Don’t go judging too quickly, we’re not done yet! We’re excited to have lots more appetizers to share!!Bloggers are sharing their favourite appetizers, this time with a Canadian twist, for a chance to win their way in to FBC2017! FBC members are invited to join the contest, but get your entries before the August 7th deadline. For those of you who are just here for delicious eats, watch the competition unfold, as we share each entry and help us decide!

We’re excited to welcome Amanda of Peppers & Pennies to the competition with her ‘easy, affordable and all-Canadian appetizer’! I decided to go ultra Canadian with a classic bannock recipe and modernize it for a fancy affair by topping it with Canada’s two most favourite mushroom varieties: White Button and Crimini. I then crowned the budget-friendly duo with a decadent and unexpected mushroom gravy made from mushrooms, butter, broth and Canadian Whiskey.

Canadian Whiskey is a unique whiskey varietal, made from a blend of grains and is typically lighter than it’s counterparts. Mixing Mushrooms, Bannock and Canadian Whiskey gives this unassuming appetizer an all-Canadian flavour that is sure to leave your guests wanting more.Mushroom & Bannock Bites
Mushroom & Bannock bites are an easy, affordable and all-Canadian appetizer to serve at your next shindig! Using classic Bannock as a base, these bite-sized treats are packed with Canadian flavours and unexpected favourites!

Ingredients

For the Bannock:
3 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch of sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening (or pure lard)
3/4 cup water
For the Mushroom Gravy:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped
1 cup Crimini Mushrooms, chopped
1 cup White Button Mushrooms, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Canadian Whiskey
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauteed Mushrooms:
1/4 cup butter
10 Crimini Mushrooms, each sliced into 5 equal pieces
10 White Button Mushroom, each sliced into 5 equal pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

1. Preheat over to 425. Prepare bannock by mixing flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in large mixing bowl.
2. Crumble butter and shortening or lard and mix well with your hands until mixture is mealy.
3. Slowly add water, 1/4 cup at a time to mixture. Mix until mixture is slightly sticky and well formed. Roll into a ball and flatten onto lightly greased large baking sheet. Cook for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
4. In the meantime, prepare the mushroom gravy by melting butter into medium sized sauce pan. Over medium high heat, add onion, mushrooms and salt and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until tender and fragrant.
5. Deglaze pan with Canadian Whiskey. Slowly add vegetable broth and mix well. Add spices and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and using an immersion blender, blend mushroom mixture until thick and smooth. If mixture is too thick, add additional vegetable broth until desired consistency.
7. Keep warm over low heat, stirring occasionally.
8. Remove bannock from the oven, let slightly cool and then cut into small squares, in a 5×10 pattern.
9. In large skillet, melt remaining butter. Add mushrooms and salt and sautee for 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and golden. Remove from heat.
10. Plate bannock, place 1 Crimini and 1 White Button mushroom slice on each piece of bannock. Top with a tablespoon or so of mushroom gravy and garnish as desired (toothpicks and parsley are shown in photo) Enjoy!

Bio
Peppers & Pennies is a cooking blog focused on creating home cooked classics and comfort food on a small budget. Beyond that, the recipes featured are that of an accessible palette and are sure to please picky eaters and self-proclaimed foodies alike. I cook from scratch and enjoy the process. I believe that a home cook can do so much with very little!~~~~~

FBC Members are encouraged to join the competition with their own recipe! Click through for full contest details.