Wild Mushroom Duxelles Recipes

MUSHROOM DUXELLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Finely chop the mushrooms in a food processor.
• Scrape the mushrooms onto a clean cotton kitchen towel. (Choose an old towel as the mushrooms will stain it. Do not use terry cloth.)
• Over a sink, twist the towel around the mushrooms to wring out as much liquid as possible.
• Heat a large (10-inch) nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and swirl to melt and avoid burning.
• Add the mushrooms, shallot, thyme, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper.
• Cook until the mushrooms release their liquid and continue to cook until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms appear dry and begin to brown, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and, when melted, add the vermouth.
• Cook until the vermouth has evaporated, stirring frequently. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

MUSHROOM DUXELLE

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and saute for 6 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic and continue to saute for 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the port wine and cook until almost all the liquid has cooked off, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the duxelle from the pan and cool completely. Season the entire quail with Essence. Stuff the quail with the duxelle and set aside.

ROAST PHEASANT WITH WILD MUSHROOM DUXELLES AND ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place 1/2 teaspoon of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 15 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms have given off their liquid and most liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste.
• Use your fingers to carefully loosen the skin over the breasts on each pheasant. Place some of the mushroom duxelle under the skin of each bird. Place 1 head of roasted garlic into the cavity of each bird. Rub the remaining teaspoon of olive oil over the skin of the pheasants. Season with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together. Place in a large roasting pan and surround with the carrots, potatoes and onions.
• Roast for 15 minutes, stopping once to run a spatula under the pheasants to prevent them from sticking. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Roast until the juices run slightly pink when pricked with a fork in the thickest part of the leg, about 30 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes. Remove the string. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Cut the pheasants in half and serve with the roasted vegetables.