Mushroom, Nut and Lentil Pate
Makes 8 to 10 appetizer-sized servings
Takes 30 minutes
Makes 8 to 10 appetizer-sized servings
Takes 30 minutes
This recipe is way more than the sum of its parts. It is a great veggie (or vegan) starter; the rich mushroomy taste, with a hint of herbs and a hint of lemon, is just delicious. It is quite literally a moveable feast - we have it for breakfast served on toast, Nik makes cheese and tomato sarnies liberally spread with it to bring into work, and we've even brought it into the countryside to have with a picnic lunch. You can adjust the balance of herbs according to season and availability. We make the full amount and freeze it in two batches. The truffle oil and booze aren't essential, but it does rich up the flavour beautifully.
70g walnuts, halved
70g cashews
5g finely chopped porcini mushrooms, soaked for 15 minutes in 3 tbsp boiling water
2 tbsp olive oil
20g unsalted butter (or more olive oil for a vegan version)
1 small onion peeled and diced
1 banana shallot peeled and diced
1 bay leaf
1 tbspn snipped chives
200g button mushrooms, thinly sliced (we use button chestnut mushrooms)
250 cooked puy lentils – we use ready-cooked sachets by Waitrose
1-3 tbspn freshly squeezed lemon juice (to taste) + a 3 x 2cm zest shaving
1 tbspn soy sauce
1 tbspn fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tbspn flat leaf parsley
1 tbspn Cognac or Marsala (optional)
1 tspn cayenne pepper
1 tspn truffle oil (optional)
salt and freshly ground black pepper (smoked salt works well)