Potato Gratin With Porcini Mushrooms And Mascarpone Cheese Recipes

POTATO GRATIN WITH PORCINI MUSHROOMS AND MASCARPONE CHEESE

Steps:

• Place porcini mushrooms in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Place a small bowl atop the mushrooms so that they stay submerged in the hot water. Soak for 20 minutes, then drain and coarsely chop the mushrooms.
• Place butter and oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. When the butter has melted add the mushrooms and saute just until they begin to brown, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and remove from heat. NOTE: this step can be done the day ahead. Refrigerate the browned mushrooms until ready to use.
• Whisk 1/4 cup parmesan, the mascarpone, whipping cream, garlic and nutmeg in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. NOTE: this step can be done the day ahead - simply cover the bowl and chill until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 325°F Butter a wide shallow 2-quart baking dish. Arrange 1/4 of the potato slices in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Scatter 1/4 of the mushroom mixture over all. Follow with another layer of 1/4 of the potatoes, and another layer of 1/4 of the mushrooms. Spread half of the cheese mixture over all, shaking the dish if necessary to allow the layers to settle.
• Cover the cheese layer with a layer of potatoes, a layer of mushrooms, another layer of potatoes and the last of the mushrooms. Finally spread all of the remaining cheese mixture over the top. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of parmesan over all.
• Place the gratin dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the top is brown and the sauce is bubbling at the edges, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving. NOTE: this dish can be made 2 hours ahead of time. Let stand at room temperature. Tent loosely with foil and rewarm at 300 F for 20 minutes.

POTATO AND PORCINI GRATIN

Steps:

• In a bowl soak porcini in warm water 30 minutes, or until softened. Slowly strain soaking liquid through a fine sieve lined with a coffee filter or a double thickness of rinsed and squeezed cheesecloth into a small saucepan, being careful to leave last tablespoon (containing sediment) in bowl. Boil soaking liquid until reduced to about 1/2 cup.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Wash porcini under cold water to remove any grit and pat dry. Chop porcini coarse. Peel potatoes and slice 1/8 inch thick. In a large (4-quart) saucepan cook porcini and garlic in butter over moderate heat, stirring, 2 minutes. Add potatoes, reduced porcini liquid, milk, cream, 4 teaspoons chives, and salt and bring liquid to boil, stirring.
• Transfer mixture to a buttered 2-quart gratin dish and bake 1 hour, or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle gratin with remaining 2 teaspoons chives.