Mushroom Crostata Recipe

I think a mushroom-filled crostata would work wonderfully. The rustic look of the free-form savory pie and the earthy flavors of the five londs of mushroom used go hand in hand. I also added a bit of sharp Cheddar cheese for its melty, stringy and delicious qualities.

The reason I used that many mushrooms (shiitake mushrooms, Portobello mushrooms, beech mushrooms, Boletus mushrooms and fresh white button mushrooms) is because we're going on a family vacation for Spring break to San Antonio , Texas --follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more pictures-- and my mission was to "empty" our refrigerator. You could add pancetta to the mushroom filling if you don't mind the dish being non-vegetarian. It gives a subtly sweet, salty note, which is very pleasant.

Poached Quail Eggs on Polenta

This is my healthy interpretation of "bacon and eggs". The high-fat nature of this dish made me consider alternatives for brunch fare. To make the dish, I pan-fried rounds of polenta, then stacked layers (and colors) of sautéed beech mushrooms, poached quail eggs, dill pesto and crispy vegetarian bacon.

If the idea of a high calorie meal doesn't bother you, you can replicate the same recipe with real bacon, chicken eggs and increase the amount of cheese in the pesto. And don’t worry, I’m not judging!

Vietnamese Vegetarian Pate Recipe

This is a recipe that didn't make it into the Bánh Mì cookbook, my second publication that is already available for pre-order. I prepared a vegetable and tofu pâté that's often used in vegetarian bánh mì  sandwiches. This dish is called tàu hũ chưng in Vietnamese. I mixed tofu and a mirepoix of vegetables, which is a combination of coarsely chopped carrots, onions, leek, celery and mushrooms. The preparation is steamed then baked until firm.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been posting a vegetarian recipe each Monday. It’s part of an effort on my part to eat a little bit healthier by reducing my meat consumption. So from now on, you'll find a vegetarian recipe every "Meatless Monday".

Mushroom Crepe Recipe (Crepe Forestiere)

In less than 3 weeks, La Chandeleur is going to be celebrated in France. It originially was a religious event (40 days after Christmas) but nowadays, it's become a more commercial celebration). Crêpes are traditionally served on the holiday, which gives me an excuse to flip some crêpes for my family. I know that making crepes is intimidating for a lot of people, but I have prepared crêpe batter countless times and I promise it's easy to master, and with a little bit of practice you'll have no problem with it. 

In general, for La Chandeleur you'll see them served as dessert, either with fruit and cream or simply sweetened with a sprinkle of sugar. Savory versions (ham and cheese is a staple), however, are not uncommon. This recipe is for a "forest"-style crepe, which means it's filled with mushrooms and it's also known as beggar's purse. I added a few roasted chestnuts and garbanzo beans for extra protein.

I hope you're inspired to make some crepes yourself. You'll be a pro in no time!

I'm giving away a copy this week and will announce the winner next Monday, January 14th, 2013. I am so grateful for all the blessings I have in my life. Thank you so much for your love and support. Here’s to making 2013 as unforgettable as 2012!

Cepe Mushroom Gratin Recipe

While strolling in an open-air market in Paris with my father, he noticed fresh cèpe mushrooms. If you've never seen them, they're quite large and brown, very similar to porcini mushrooms. In my opinion, these are very tasty mushrooms and Jean-Damien, my brother-in-law, had mentioned people go "hunting" for these wild mushrooms in the Parisian forests ("les forêts d'Ile-de-France"). Papa bought 2 small cases and I made a very simple mushroom gratin to showcase the unique flavor of these wonderful mushrooms.

I sautéed the cèpes in garlic and sweet basil. Then I transferred them to a gratin dish and covered them with alternating layers of Gruyère cheese and béchamel sauce. The result was a divine, creamy dish that suits the rainy weather we've experienced here in France.