Mushroom pie from meatlessmonday.com

  • 2 ounces assorted dried mushrooms
  • 1 vegetable stock cube
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 baby onions, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, diced
  • 12 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
  • 9 ounces Swiss brown mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup cream

For the crust:

  • 9 ounces margarine
  • 9 ounces flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup cold water

To complete the Mushroom Pie:

  • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
  • 4 tablespoons nonfat milk
  • 4 ounces spinach, blanched

To make the Mushroom Filling: Place the dried mushrooms in a medium bowl and cover with hot water. Allow to soak for 15-30 minutes, or until the dried mushrooms become tender. Drain the dried mushrooms, reserving the liquid, slice the rehydrated mushrooms and set aside. Combine 1 cup of the reserved mushroom soaking liquid with the vegetable stock cube and cornstarch. Stir until the stock cube and cornstarch have dissolved. Set aside. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the sliced baby onions and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until onions are beginning to become soft. Add the garlic and cook for a minute more. Add the button mushrooms and continue to cook over a medium heat for 2-4 minutes, or until they start to soften. Add the Swiss mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes further. Place the sliced rehydrated mushrooms into the pan and turn the heat up to high. Pour in the wine and allow to simmer for 1 minute, then add the mushroom liquid stock cube mixture. Turn down the heat to low and let the mushrooms cook over a very gentle heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the Mushroom Filling has reduced a bit. Remove the Mushroom Filing from the stove and stir in the soy creamer. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.

To make the crust: Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, rub the margarine together with the flour until it resembles fine bread crumbs. Add the dried thyme and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine. Add the cold water, one drop at a time, until the mixture forms a dough. You may not need all the water. Roll the dough into a smooth ball, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Prepare a 35 centimeter pie dish with a light coating of vegetable shortening and set aside. Remove the dough from the fridge and cut into 2 pieces, 1 slightly larger than the other. Prepare a large, flat surface with flour. Roll the larger dough ball out on a floured surface large enough to line the base and sides of your pie dish. Lay the pastry into the prepared dish, prick with a fork a couple of times and return the dish to the fridge for another 10 minutes. Roll out the remainder of the pastry to form the pie lid.

To complete the Mushroom Pie: Pour the mushroom filling into the prepared pie crust. Trim the edges of the pastry from the dish and top with the pie lid. Seal the edges of the pastry case by gently pressing down with a fork or your fingers. Cut a cross in the middle of the pie lid, sprinkle with black sesame seeds and lightly brush with milk. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and mushroom filling is bubbling. Remove from the oven and allow the Mushroom Pie to sit a few minutes to cool slightly. Cut in equal pieces and serve topped with blanched spinach.

Welsh Rarebit by Robert Burns

50 grams butter
50 grams all-purpose flour
135 grams stout beer, such as Even More Jesus
375 grams heavy cream92b7adc8-239b-425a-a67a-37463dbffd2f--125_Welsh_rarebit
3 grams mustard powder
1 gram cayenne pepper
300 grams aged cheddar cheese, grated
1 loaf Polish rye bread
Worcestershire sauce

  • In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour, and cook until the color shifts slightly darker, about 4 minutes. Add half the stout, making sure the beer is fully incorporated into the roux before adding the rest. Add half the cream, making sure it is fully incorporated into the mixture before adding the rest. Whisk in the mustard and cayenne to incorporate fully with no lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens nicely, 5 to 7 minutes. Be careful not to burn the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add the cheddar, whisking after each addition. Be mindful of the heat: if the cheese begins to separate from the roux, cut the flame entirely. Let the rarebit mixture cool completely.
  • Slice the bread 1¼-inch/3cm thick and toast until golden. Let cool and top each slice with 75 grams of rarebit mixture. Use an offset spatula to spread the mixture evenly over the top of bread. Broil (grill) until bubbling and slightly darkened. Drizzle Worcestershire sauce over the hot rarebit, slice into 5 pieces, and serve immediately.
    Serves 6 as a snack