Italian Style Mushroom Spread or Filling

(NC)—This easy spread makes a perfect addition to pizzas or use as a filling for ravioli. Try adding it to minestrone soup or spread between the skin and flesh of chicken breasts before roasting.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 lb (500 g) fresh Mushrooms, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup (125 mL) minced cooked ham
2 tbsp (25 mL) tomato paste
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground black pepper
1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano

In large skillet melt butter over medium heat; sauté onion for 1–2 minutes just to soften. Add mushrooms sauté 4–5 minutes or until liquid is released; reduce heat to low and add garlic, tomato paste, pepper and thyme if using. Continue to cook, stirring often until a thickened about 5 minutes. Spread on pizza crust or spoon dollops on top of tomato sauce or use to fill ravioli or flavour soups or stews. It may also be refrigerated or frozen to use later.

Makes 2 cups.

Tips:

• Finely chop vegetables in food processor to save time.

• Use any mixture of mushrooms; it is also a good way to use up stems from mushroom caps other than Shiitake stems.

Variation: Add extra garlic and herbs to use as a spread under chicken skin

More delicious recipe ideas are available online at www.mushrooms.ca.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ shivanetua

Source: www.newscanada.com

More for mushroom lovers: