Romantic Wild Mushroom And Walnut Conchiglie For Two Recipes

WILD MUSHROOM QUICHE WITH WALNUT CRUST

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pulse together the walnuts, flour, sugar and salt to a fine meal in a food processor. Pulse in the butter until it forms to a crumbly dough. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Place on a baking sheet and bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• For the filling: Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the wild mushrooms and white mushrooms and season with 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat to medium; add the butter, shallots and thyme. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes more. Adjust the seasoning and set aside.
• Combine the Parmesan and Comte cheeses in a small bowl and set aside. Scatter half of the mushrooms and half the cheese evenly over the crust. Whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until smooth and frothy. Pour half the egg mixture over the mushrooms. Repeat with the remaining mushrooms and egg mixture and top with the remaining cheese.
• Bake the quiche until golden brown on top and just set with a little wiggle in the very center, 50 to 60 minutes. Run a clean paring knife between the crust and the pan to separate. Let cool slightly for 25 minutes.
• Garnish the quiche with parsley. Carefully remove the springform pan ring. Cut the quiche into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature with crisp greens.

CONCHIGLIONI PASTA WITH MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• Cook the pasta shells in boiling salted water for 15 mins or according to packet instructions. Drain, then tip into an ovenproof dish.
• Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a large frying pan, add the mushrooms and sauté over high heat for 6-8 mins, stirring occasionally until nicely browned. Transfer to a plate.
• Add the remaining oil to the pan, add the beef, onion and garlic and cook over a high heat for 5 mins until browned. Add the red wine, tomato paste, oregano and plenty of seasoning then bring to the boil, stirring well. Simmer for 4 mins or until reduced. Add the half and half and mushrooms and simmer for a further 5 mins until nicely reduced.
• Spoon the beef over the pasta shells, then stir well so that it fills the pasta. Scatter over the cheeses and pop under a hot broiler. Cook for 3 mins or until the top is golden brown. Serve straight away.