Winter Squash And Portobello Mushroom Tamales Recipes

MIXED MUSHROOM TAMALES

Steps:

• Cover husks with hot water by 2 inches in a large bowl and soak, kept submerged with an inverted plate, turning husks occasionally, until soft, about 30 minutes. Rinse husks, 1 at a time, under running water. Pile 24 of largest husks on a plate and cover with a dampened kitchen towel. Tear some of remaining husks lengthwise into 24 (1/2-inch-wide) strips to use as ties (keep damp as well).
• Cover porcini with 1 cup very hot water in a small bowl and soak 30 minutes. Lift out porcini, squeezing liquid back into bowl (reserve liquid), then rinse mushrooms to remove any grit. Coarsely chop porcini. Pour soaking liquid through a paper-towel-lined sieve into a glass measure and reserve.
• Heat 1/2 stick butter in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over high heat until foam subsides, then sauté onion and garlic, stirring, 1 minute. Add mushrooms (including porcini) and epazote (if using) and sauté, stirring occasionally, until liquid is released, about 3 minutes.
• Add porcini soaking liquid and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is evaporated and mushrooms are slightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes, then sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
• Beat remaining 1 1/2 sticks butter with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Sift masa harina with baking powder, sugar, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt into a bowl. Stir in 1 1/2 cups very hot water until a thick paste forms.
• Beat masa mixture into butter in 3 batches, beating until smooth after each addition. Reduce speed to low and mix in mushroom mixture until just combined.
• Put 1 husk on a work surface, pointed end closest to you, and, spreading it flat, mound 3 tablespoons filling in center and flatten slightly into a rough oval (about 1/2 inch thick) with back of a spoon, leaving a 1-inch border on both sides. Bring pointed end of husk up over mound of filling to cover, and fold sides of husk over filling to enclose. Gather together open end of husk at top of filling, creating a flat pouch, and tie with a corn-husk strip. Assemble 23 more tamales in same manner.
• Arrange tamales upright in 1 layer in steamer insert so they resemble falling dominoes in rows. Set steamer over boiling water in pot and cover with a folded kitchen towel (towel absorbs condensation so tamales don't get soggy). Steam tamales, tightly covered with a lid, adding more water as necessary, until filling is tender, about 30 minutes. To check for doneness, open 1 steamed tamale and if any part of filling is still gummy, steam 5 to 10 minutes more.

PORTOBELLO PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Scrape out the gills of the portobellos with a spoon, then halve the mushrooms horizontally to make 6 thin rounds.
• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic; cook 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low, add the tomatoes and basil and cook until the garlic is soft, about 15 more minutes. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the panko, 1/2 cup parmesan, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Whisk the eggs and 2 tablespoons cold water in another bowl. Put the flour in a third bowl.
• Dredge the mushrooms in flour, shaking off the excess. Dip in the eggs and then in the panko mixture, pressing to coat both sides. Heat 1/2 inch peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the mushrooms until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Spread a layer of the tomato sauce in the prepared baking dish. Add the fried mushrooms, then cover with the remaining tomato sauce. Top with the mozzarella and the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan. Bake until browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.

STUFFED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper together. Brush portobello with vinaigrette. Bake portobello on wire rack for 20 minutes.
• Saute pancetta until crispy, then drain fat from skillet.
• Add a little olive oil, onion, diced mushroom stem, thyme, rosemary, and saute until there is no more juice in skillet, and onions are getting some color.
• Transfer this mixture into a bowl and add bread crumbs, parsley, 1/2 the cheese, a pinch of salt and pepper, to your taste. Mix well. Spoon onto mushroom cap pressing lightly. Put the remaining cheese on stuffing and bake for 16 to 20 minutes until cheese is golden.
• This can also be broiled to desired color.

MUSHROOM AND SQUASH RISOTTO

Steps:

• Soak the porcinis in 5 cups hot water, 30 minutes. Strain into a saucepan, squeezing the liquid from the porcinis; chop the porcinis and set aside.
• Make the mushroom broth: Remove the shiitake stems and transfer to a separate saucepan. Add 5 cups water, the bay leaf, 1/2 cinnamon stick, the peppercorns and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes, then remove from the heat and set aside to infuse, 30 minutes. Strain into the saucepan with the porcini soaking liquid, squeezing the liquid from the shiitake stems; discard the solids.
• Meanwhile, chop the shiitake mushroom caps and mixed mushrooms. Heat 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in an extra-large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and the remaining 1/2 cinnamon stick and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the shiitake caps and mixed mushrooms in an even layer and cook, undisturbed, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until the mushrooms are soft, about 3 more minutes. Season with salt and discard the cinnamon stick.
• Bring the mushroom broth to a simmer. Heat 2 tablespoons butter and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the squash, onion, porcinis and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add the rice and toast, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Add the wine and simmer, stirring, until absorbed, 1 minute. Add 3 cups hot broth, return to a simmer and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 more minutes. Add 3 more cups broth and the mushroom mixture; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the rice is al dente, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the grated cheese and parsley. Add more broth, if needed. Season with salt and serve with more cheese.