Wild Mushroom Potato Cake Recipes

POTATO LASAGNA WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
• Peel and cut the potatoes into rectangular shapes, about 3 by 1 1/2 inches.
• Using a mandoline, a vegetable slicer or a sharp kitchen knife, slice each potato rectangle into 5 slices.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and brush the parchment with the melted butter. Spread out the potato slices on a cookie sheet. Butter another piece of parchment paper and place, buttered side down, on the potatoes. Cook in the oven until the potatoes are soft, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Chop all the mushrooms. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a saute pan and add the mushrooms. Cook over medium-low heat until they are soft. Add the finely chopped shallots and cook for 2 minutes more, or until the shallots are translucent.
• In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced celery, leeks, shallots and onion. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add the wine and, over high heat, reduce the liquid until it almost totally evaporates. Add 1 cup of water, the garlic, thyme and lemon juice and reduce it by a fourth. There should be 6 ounces of liquid. Strain through a sieve, pressing on the vegetables to release the juices. While the liquid is hot, pour it into a blender. Whir the liquid, adding 8 ounces of butter tablespoon by tablespoon. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the broth back into the pan and stir in the chopped parsley and diced tomatoes.
• To serve, alternate slices of potato with mushrooms. Spoon the celery sauce over the potatoes and serve.

WILD MUSHROOM AND POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Place the dried porcinis in a bowl or a pyrex measuring cup and pour on 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Soak for 30 minutes. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Drain mushrooms, then squeeze in cheesecloth to extract juices. Rinse several times and chop medium-fine. Measure out 1 cup of broth.
• Meanwhile heat oven to 375 degrees. Rub inside of a 3-quart gratin dish or baking dish all over with the cut half garlic clove and lightly oil with olive oil. Heat oil in a wide, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion or shallots and cook gently until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn up heat to high and add mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until they begin to sweat, 2-3 minutes, reduce heat to medium, and add minced garlic, thyme, rosemary or sage and dried porcinis. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper and continue to cook over medium heat until soft, about 5 more minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring, until it is no longer visible in the pan. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• In a large bowl combine potatoes, mushrooms, half the cheese, and salt and pepper. Arrange in an even layer in gratin dish.
• Combine milk and mushroom broth. Season generously with salt and pour over the potatoes and mushrooms. Press the vegetables down into the liquid. Bake 1 hour. Every 20 minutes remove gratin dish and press potatoes and mushrooms down into the liquid with the back of a large spoon. After 1 hour, sprinkle on remaining cheese and bake for another 30 minutes, until top is golden and the sides crusty. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve hot or warm.