Loco Moco

It’s probably best known as Hawaii’s answer to the classic greasy spoon hangover breakfast, and it’s absolutely delicious. Adding finely chopped mushrooms to the beef patties really takes this dish to another level – they add a serving of vegetables to the plate, layer in delicious earthy flavour, save you a few pennies, add a healthy dose of anti-oxidants and other nutrients, and best of all, cut down on fat and calories.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Isabelle from Crumb: A Food Blog.

Prep Time: 20 mins. | Cook Time: 35 mins.

Ingredients

Beef-Mushroom Patties:
¼ lb cremini mushrooms
¾ lb lean ground beef
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp soy sauce
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tbsp canola oil
Sweet Onion Pan Gravy:
½ cup thinly sliced sweet onion (like Maui or Vidalia)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
Assembly and Garnishes:
4 eggs
2 cups cooked Calrose rice (or any other medium-grain rice)
Thinly sliced green onion, for garnish
Sriracha sauce, for garnish
Soy sauce, for garnish

Method

Make the Patties:
1. Using a food processor fitted with a metal blade, process the mushrooms until very finely chopped.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped mushrooms with ground beef, egg, panko, onion, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and pepper. Using your hands, gently mix together until well incorporated. Divide into quarters, and shape into four round patties.
3. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium-high heat, heat the canola oil. Add the patties, and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until cooked all the way through on the inside and crisply browned on the outside. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate, and tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm. Set aside.
Make the Gravy:
4. Add the butter to the hot skillet. Once the butter starts to foam, add the sliced onions and saute for 7-10 minutes or until soft and golden. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about a minute. Whisk in the beef broth, and bring to a simmer, scraping up the crispy browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Once the broth comes to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy is thick and smooth.
Assemble and Serve:
6. While the gravy is simmering, pan-fry the eggs as you like them – I’m a fan of sunny side up, but over easy is just dandy, too.
7. To serve, scoop ½ cup cooked rice into a wide, shallow bowl. Top with a patty, and ladle a generous amount of gravy and onions overtop before finally topping off with an egg. Garnish with green onions, and dashes of sriracha and/or soy sauce.
0 comments

Breton Breakfast Galette

A galette filled with Emmenthal cheese, thinly sliced Black Forest ham and herb-sautéed mushrooms is a light, yet satisfying way to start your day and something a little different from the usual breakfast/ brunch fare.

Recipe and photo by Mardi of eat. live. travel. write.

Prep Time: 10 mins. | Cook Time: 30 mins.

Tip: **If you can’t find herbes de Provence, you can easily make your own mix to store in an airtight container for future use using the following formula:
5 tablespoons dried thyme
3 tablespoons dried savory
2 tablespoon dried marjoram
5 tablespoons dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried basil

Ingredients

For the galettes:
250 g buckwheat flour
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
250 mls milk
250 mls water
1 egg, separated
1/2 teaspoon salt
extra water to thin the batter
For the filling for one galette (just make as much as you need):
4 large cremini mushrooms
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon herbes de Provence **
1/4 cup mushroom stock (ideally mushroom or you could use whatever you have on hand)
Other fillings:
1 thin slice of Black Forest ham
1/4 cup shredded Emmenthal cheese
sprinkle of chopped chives for garnish

Method

For the galettes:
1. Mix the flours together, making a well in the centre. Add the egg yolk and mix until combined.
2. Slowly add first the milk, then the water, incorporating with a whisk until you have a smooth batter (it will still be a little thick at this point but as long as it’s smooth, you’re good).
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg white and salt until it forms stiff peaks and then fold into the batter with a rubber spatula.
4. Cover and refrigerate for an hour or overnight.
For the filling for one galette (just make as much as you need):
1. Melt the butter over a medium heat in a heavy bottomed skillet. Add the herbs de Provence and sauté for a minute or so.
2. Add the mushrooms and coat with the butter and herbs. Sauté over medium heat until softened – a couple of minutes.
3. Turn up the heat slightly and add the stock. Simmer until the liquid has mostly evaporated, a couple more minutes. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
Assembly:
Notes:
1. When you take your batter out of the fridge, you might need to add some more water or milk. The batter should be fairly thin – think smoothie consistency.
2. You will probably have a couple of galettes that don’t work out the first time. Usually I find it takes a couple to get into the technique!
1. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. You might like to melt some butter (about 1 tablespoon) to start with and after every 2-3 galettes, depending on how “non stick” your pan is. One of my pans does not require any butter, some of my older ones do.
2. Using a half-cup measure, pour batter into the centre of the pan and immediately swirl the pan to spread the mixture – you’re looking for a galette that’s about 8-9 inches across so it will be very thin.
3. As the edges begin to crisp up a little, make sure the galette is not sticking, especially in the centre. I use a large, thin plastic spatula to keep this in check.
4. You’ll know the galette is ready to flip when it’s completely dry looking on top. It might bubble and look a little “lacy” but that’s fine – in fact that’s perfect! Flip the galette carefully and immediately add the cheese in the centre. Once the edges of the cheese have started to melt, add the mushrooms, saving a couple for garnish. Press them into the cheese. Cook a minute or so then add the ham.
5. Fold in the sides of the galette to slightly cover the fillings. Traditionally the galette is served in a square shape with all four sides folded in but I kind of like with just two sides folded over (oh, and it’s pretty hard to make it stay folded when it’s all four corners!).
6. Top the completed galette with the mushrooms you set aside and a sprinkle of chives.
Bon appétit!
0 comments

Baked Eggs with Mushrooms

No need to boil, poach or scramble just bake eggs in the oven on a tasty mushroom sauté. If you don’t have ramekins try using gratin dishes, oven –proof soup, dessert or cereal dishes, coffee mugs or custard cups.

Prep Time: 5 mins. | Cook Time: 20 mins. | Serves: 4

Tip: If using wide gratin dishes in place of ramekins make a well in the middle of the mushrooms and crack eggs into the well; increase cheese to ½ cup (125 mL).  For brunch bake herbed tomato halves in the oven with the eggs.

Variation: 

1. Substitute Swiss or havarti with jalapeno cheese for Cheddar.
2. Substitute diced cooked ham  for red pepper.
3. Substitute ½ cup (125 mL) salsa or chili sauce for the red pepper, salt pepper and
herbs.
4. French Style: for a softer texture eggs may be baked in a water bath.  Place the filled ramekins in a roasting pan or baking pan (large enough so they are not touching each other).  Place the pan on the oven shelf and pour in enough boiling water into the pan to reach ½ -2/3 up the side of the ramekin.  Bake as directed 12- 15 minutes.

Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil 15 mL
8 oz fresh sliced fresh Mushrooms 250 g
1/3 cup diced red pepper (optional) 75 mL
1 tbsp minced fresh parsley (optional) 15 mL
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper 1 mL
1/2 tsp dried thyme, tarragon or basil (optional) 2 mL
4 large eggs 4
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese 75 mL

Method

    1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350 ºF (180ºC).
    2. In a medium skillet heat oil over medium – high heat, sauté mushrooms 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned and moisture is released.
    3. Add red pepper, parsley, salt, pepper and herb if using; sauté 1 minute.
    4. Spoon evenly into 4 lightly greased (6 oz/ 90 mL) ramekins.  Crack one egg into each ramekin and sprinkle cheese evenly on top.
    5. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes (baked eggs are done when whites are set and puffy but yolks are just starting to set).  Serve with toast to dip in the soft yolk.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving
Calories: 152
Sodium: 263 mg
Protein : 9.4 g
Fat: 11.7 g
Carbohydrates: 2.6 g
Dietary Fibre: 0.9 g

0 comments

Spinach Polenta with Mushrooms, Leek and Poached Egg

This rich and flavourful polenta dish is perfect for a weekend brunch or weeknight meal. Creamy polenta is elevated with the addition of umami-rich mushrooms. A poached egg on top completes the dish and adds another layer of texture.

Recipe developed in partnership with Egg Farmers of Ontario.

Prep Time: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 30 mins. | Serves: 4

Ingredients

Polenta:
4 cups (1L) water
2 cups (500 mL) chopped spinach
1 cup (250 mL) polenta
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
¼ cup (60 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper
Mushrooms:
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 lb (500 g) fresh mixed mushrooms (portabella, shiitake, oyster), coarsely chopped
1 large leek (white and light-green parts only), halved lengthwise, rinse and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1/2 tbsp (15 mL) white wine vinegar
Poached Eggs:
4 large eggs
Water for poaching
1 tbsp (7 mL) white vinegar
Optional Garnishes:
Fresh chopped chives
Salt and pepper, to taste
Parmesan cheese

Method

Polenta:
1. In a large pot, over medium-high heat, bring water to a boil. Stir in chopped spinach. Slowly add polenta while whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until polenta is smooth, 5-6 minutes. Reduce heat to low, cook polenta 25-30 minutes. Whisk often. Remove from heat and add butter, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Mushrooms:
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add leek and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and butter, heat until butter is melted. Add white wine vinegar and stir until the liquid evaporates, about 2-3 minutes. Set mushrooms aside.
Poached Egg:
3. In a large saucepan, bring 3 inches of water and a splash of white vinegar to a simmer over medium-low heat. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl. Gently stir the water in a circle, and then gently slip egg into water. Poach about 3-4 minutes, then remove egg with a slotted spoon and pat dry. Repeat with remaining eggs.
Assembly:
4. To assemble, spoon polenta into bowl, top with mushroom & leek mixture, and then poached egg. Add optional garnishes.
Horizontal-Black-Text
0 comments

Rye Waffles with Mushrooms and Kale

These savoury waffles freeze beautifully for a quick snack, toast up well and make a great base for a fried or poached egg. If you like a sweet and savoury bite, mix some honey and cayenne pepper together and drizzle over the toasted waffles.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Kelly from The Gouda Life.

Prep Time: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 15 mins. | Makes: 10 waffles.

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable/coconut oil
8oz sliced white/cremini mushrooms
sea salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup rye flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
2 cups milk (cows/unsweetened dairy-free)
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil, melted
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup chopped up kale

Method

1. Melt oil in a large heavy skillet over med-high heat. Once sizzling add the mushrooms and cook, stirring every few minutes, until golden brown. Do not salt before the mushrooms are browned. Add salt to taste and set aside to cool.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda + powder, salt and sugar to combine. Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture and add the wet ingredients. Use a fork to slowly pull them all together making sure not to over-mix. A few lumps is perfectly fine. Fold in the mushrooms and kale.
3. Get your waffle iron ready to go and cook waffles according to your manufacturer’s instructions. I typically add about 1/4 – 1/3 cup of batter per waffle. Keep warm on a baking sheet in a 250 oven until you’ve cooked up all the batter.
0 comments