RUPERT’S ODD PARTY

“Oh, what a careless lot you are!” Shouts Rosalie. “Such fine friends! Pah!” This mushroom version of stuffing makes a change from traditional sage and onion, and can be added to any meal or used as the basis for a vegetarian dish. Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS

350g crusty white bread 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 350g button mushrooms 350g chanterelle mushrooms 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon dried sage Salt to taste 475ml vegetable stock

Mushroom stuffing

Handful fresh parsley leaves, chopped

METHOD

Put the bread cubes into a large bowl. Add the butter to a large pan and melt over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 1 minute until soft, but not browned. Add all the mushrooms, bay leaves, paprika and sage and 1 teaspoon salt.

Cook the mushrooms, stirring frequently. As the mushrooms cook, pour the liquid they produce into the bowl and toss to coat the cubes of bread. Do this every couple of minutes until the mushrooms are cooked – they should be tender and browned.

Add the cooked mushrooms to the bread and toss together.

Pour in the vegetable stock a little at a time, mixing in each time, until the desired texture is achieved.

Add seasoning as required, then just before serving, mix in the chopped parsley.

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