Best Crostini With Shiitake Mushrooms And Brie Recipes

POTATO, SHIITAKE AND BRIE GRATIN

Steps:

• Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut the potatoes into slices about 1/8 of an inch thick. Place them in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 30 minutes, changing the water twice. Drain and pat them dry.
• Arrange two oven racks so that one is in the bottom third of the oven and the other is in the middle. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Butter a shallow 10-inch gratin dish or glass baking dish.
• Thinly slice the shiitake caps. Cut the Brie into small cubes. Layer a third of the potato slices in the dish. Lay half the shiitakes and half the cheese evenly over the top. Liberally season with salt and pepper. Add another third of the potatoes and top with remaining shiitakes and Brie. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange remaining potato slices on top. Combine the cream, garlic and thyme and pour over the potatoes, pushing down so that all the liquid is absorbed and spreading the garlic and thyme evenly. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes.
• Combine the Parmesan and bread crumbs and season the mixture with more salt and pepper. Remove the foil from the pan and sprinkle the crumbs over the potatoes. Place the pan on a rack in the bottom third of the oven and bake 30 to 40 minutes longer, until the potatoes are very tender and the top and bottom are crusty and dark brown.

BAKED BRIE WITH MUSHROOMS AND THYME

Steps:

• Rinse dried porcini to remove any grit. Place porcini and wine in small saucepan. Bring to simmer over low heat; remove from heat. Let soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer porcini to work surface and coarsely chop. Line strainer with damp paper towel; strain wine into small bowl and reserve.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add crimini and shiitakes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until brown, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add shallot and stir until soft, about 1 minute. Add chopped porcini and strained wine. Boil until almost dry, about 1 minute. Stir in thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool.
• Remove Brie from box, discarding lid and paper. Using sharp knife, cut top rind from Brie; discard. Return Brie to box. (Alternatively, stack two 12-inch rounds of foil and fold up around bottom and sides of Brie, crimping foil at edges, leaving top exposed.) Mound mushroom mixture atop Brie. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place Brie with mushrooms on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until cheese begins to melt and mushrooms are warmed through, about 15 minutes. Transfer Brie in box to plate. Serve hot with baguette slices.
• *Available in the produce section of many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.