PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SALAD à LA GRECQUE

Portobello Mushroom Salad à la Grecque image

Provided by Kathy Cary

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

12 pearl onions
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
3 cups water
1 1/4 cups chopped celery
1 fennel bulb, trimmed, thinly sliced
8 ounces portobello mushrooms, stems trimmed, caps sliced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon coriander
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried
1 bunch watercress
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Steps:

Blanch onions in a saucepan of boiling water 2 minutes. Drain; cool. Peel onions.
Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add water, celery, fennel, and onions; bring to boil. Add mushrooms, vinegar, salt, pepper, and coriander. Simmer mushrooms until tender, about 30 minutes. Pour mushroom mixture into strainer set over large bowl. Return strained liquid to same skillet. Boil until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 12 minutes. Combine mushroom mixture and reduced liquid in large bowl. Mix in parsley and thyme. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.
Arrange watercress around edge of platter. Mound mushroom mixture in center. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.