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Champignons à la grecque
Mushrooms in lemon and coriander
Champignons à la grecque: Paris bistro button mushrooms simmered with coriander seed and lemon, served cold
Despite the name, champignons à la grecque are a Parisian invention, a cold starter of the old bistros and delicatessens where vegetables were cooked "the Greek way" in olive oil, lemon and spices. Small button mushrooms simmer with tomato, coriander seed, bay and thyme until they shrink and soak up the tangy liquid, then they are left to cool and served at room temperature with bread on a crudités plate. They are even better made a day ahead. The common mistake is crowding raw mushrooms into a small pan so they stew grey; give them space and a lively simmer. Chef's tip: crush the coriander seeds lightly before adding them; they release a warm, citrus flavour.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb small button mushroomswiped, stalks trimmed
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onionfinely chopped
- 1 clove garliccrushed
- 1 tsp coriander seedslightly crushed
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 ripe tomatoespeeled and chopped
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsleychopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Heat the 4 tbsp olive oil in a wide pan over a medium heat and cook the 1 small onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the 1 clove garlic and 1 tsp coriander seeds and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5 minStep 2: Stir in the 1 tbsp tomato purée, 2 ripe tomatoes, 3 tbsp lemon juice, ½ cup water, 1 bay leaf, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, ½ tsp salt and 1 pinch black pepper and bring to a simmer.
3 minStep 3: Add the 1 ⅛ lb small button mushrooms, stir and cook uncovered at a brisk simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring now and then, until they have shrunk, the liquid has reduced by half and coats them in a glossy sauce.
12 minStep 4: Take out the bay and thyme stalks and leave to cool. Stir in the 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley and serve at room temperature, or keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 130 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does champignons à la grecque take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of small button mushrooms?
- Aubergine, diced, same weight.
- What can I use instead of small onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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