Mushroom And Apple Pairing: A Culinary Adventure

Mushrooms and apples are two ingredients that can be combined in a variety of ways. They can be roasted and served with arugula and walnuts, sautéed and served with pork or chicken, or baked into caramelized onion, mushroom, and apple puffs. In addition, they can be used to make a chutney or compote, which can be served with pork or chicken. The combination of apples and mushrooms provides a balance of earthy, sweet, and peppery flavors.

• Caramelized onion, mushroom, and apple puffs
• Pork chops with apple and mushroom sauce
• Onion, apple, and mushroom compote (for pork or roasted chicken) |

Roasted apples and mushrooms with arugula salad

Roasted apples and mushrooms with arugula make for a delicious combination. This recipe is inspired by Maine-based cookbook author, writer, and resident chef of NPR's Here and Now, Kathy Gunst. Here is a detailed recipe for roasted apples and mushrooms with arugula salad:

Ingredients

• Arugula
• Apples
• Mushrooms (an assortment of varieties like portobello, shiitake, oyster, etc.)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Walnuts
• Onion (optional)
• Garlic (optional)
• Bacon (optional)
• Wine (optional)
• Broth (optional)
• Mulling spice (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. Coarsely chop them and set them aside. In a roasting pan, mix the mushrooms, apples, olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add onions, garlic, and bacon for extra flavor. Spread the mixture in a single layer and roast for about 7-10 minutes, until the apples are tender. If you're using onions, garlic, and bacon, you can sauté them first and then add the apples and mushrooms, deglazing the pan with wine and broth for extra depth of flavor.

For the salad, place the arugula in a serving bowl or plate. Top it with the roasted apples and mushrooms. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top and add a simple dressing of olive oil, salt, and pepper, or a more complex vinaigrette with maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and avocado or olive oil.

You can also experiment with different types of apples and mushrooms to find your favorite combination. Some suggested apple varieties include Macoun, Mutsu, Macintosh, and Cortland, while portobello, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms are excellent choices for texture and flavor.

This recipe is a perfect side dish or salad for the holidays, and the combination of earthy, sweet, and peppery flavors is sure to impress. Enjoy the beautiful blend of autumnal flavors!

Caramelized onion, mushroom and apple puffs

The combination of apples, mushrooms, and onions is a winning one, especially when served with pork or roasted chicken. This recipe for caramelized onion, mushroom, and apple puffs is a great Thanksgiving or Christmas appetizer and is easy to put together and feed a crowd.

Ingredients

• Puff pastry
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Granny Smith apples
• Butter
• Sugar
• Parmesan
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper
• Egg
• Olive oil
• Vegetable oil

Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 200C (400F) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the onions with a little salt for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes, until the onions are golden brown and the mushrooms are tender. Remove and set aside in a medium bowl.

In the same skillet, melt butter and add apple pieces and sugar. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add this to the bowl with the onions and mushrooms. Add parmesan, chives, rosemary, thyme, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the puff pastry into 6 cm squares, about 2.5 mm thick. Place them on the prepared baking sheets and brush with a beaten egg. Place a heaping teaspoon of filling in the middle of each puff pastry bite. Sprinkle with more parmesan, if desired.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and crisp. Let the puffs cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with more chives, if desired.

This recipe is easy to adapt and can be made ahead of time. The filling can be prepared and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance, and the caramelized onion mixture can be brought to room temperature quickly in the microwave. You can also add garlic or bacon to the mixture, or sprinkle some ground mulling spice or allspice for an extra kick.

Pork chops with apple and mushroom sauce

The combination of apples, mushrooms, and pork chops is a classic. Here is a recipe for pork chops with apple and mushroom sauce:

Ingredients

• Pork chops
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion
• Apple
• Mushrooms
• Bacon fat
• Wine
• Broth
• Mulling spice
• Apple juice
• Stock

Method

• Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Place a pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Once hot, sear the pork chops until evenly golden brown. Remove the pork chops from the pan.
• Melt butter in the same pan over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, apple, mushrooms, and sage. Sauté until the apples are barely tender, about 5-10 minutes. Bacon fat can be used instead of butter for more flavor.
• Deglaze the skillet with wine and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce by half, about 15 minutes.
• Pour in the apple juice. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 15 minutes.
• Add the stock and reduce by half again, about 10 minutes.
• Season with mulling spice or allspice, and herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary.
• Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans.

This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it perfect for company.

Onion, apple and mushroom compote

The combination of onions, apples, and mushrooms is a winning combination, especially when served with pork or roasted chicken. This compote is perfect for autumn and can be made ahead of time and reheated.

Ingredients

• Onions
• Apples
• Mushrooms
• Garlic
• Bacon
• Wine
• Broth
• Mulling spice (or allspice, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or sage)
• Mustard
• Salt and pepper

Method

• Sauté the onion, apple, garlic, and mushrooms in bacon fat or olive oil. Fry some bacon first and crumble it to add at the end for extra flavor.
• Sauté until the apples are just barely tender.
• Deglaze the skillet with wine and broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the liquid by half.
• Grind some mulling spice over the mixture or add your choice of seasoning.
• Pull the skillet off the heat and stir in the mustard.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

This compote can be served as a sauce by adding some broth and/or heavy cream. It can also be used as a filling for puff pastry appetizers or quesadillas.

Chicken with roasted apples and mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 medium-sized apples, cored and sliced
• 200g of mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium-sized onion, sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of chicken broth
• 1/4 cup of dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon of thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add the minced garlic and sliced onion, continuing to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are softened and golden.

Next, add the sliced apples to the skillet with a small amount of butter, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they begin to turn golden. Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in the chicken broth and white wine. Sprinkle the thyme over the dish and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer—it should read 165°F (74°C) when fully cooked.

Serve this delicious dish with a side of your choice, such as roasted potatoes or a fresh green salad. Enjoy the combination of juicy chicken, tender apples, and earthy mushrooms in every bite!

Feel free to experiment with different types of apples and mushrooms to find your favourite flavour combinations. You can also try adding other herbs or spices to the dish to enhance the flavour profile further.

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