MINI MUSHROOM TACOS
Serves 6
Make the pickled mushrooms the day before serving, store in the fridge, for good flavour. Mushroom tapenade: 250g pitted olives, green and black mixed 250g cooked mushrooms (portobellini or button)
2 anchovy fillets
1 clove garlic, minced
30ml (2 tbsp) caper berries, chopped
3-5 fresh basil leaves
15ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice 30-45ml (2-3 tbsp) olive oil
Pickled mushrooms:
100ml olive oil
500g button mushrooms or portobellini 3 cloves garlic, finely sliced
100ml white balsamic vinegar
2 spring onions, sliced
2 bay leaves
2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
Juice and rind of 1 lemon
Handful fresh parsley, chopped
1 serrano chilli, sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve:
Cheese, olives, pickled onions, sun-dried tomatoes, seasonal fruit, crudites, breadsticks, baguette
For the tapenade combine all the ingredients in the food processor and pulse until well combined and fine textured.
For the pickled mushrooms, in a medium pot combine the olive oil, garlic, vinegar, onion, bay leaves, thyme, lemon zest, chilli, a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper and bring to the boil.
Slice the mushrooms in half and once the liquid has come to a boil add the mushrooms, lemon juice and parsley.
Place the lid on the pot, turn the heat off and leave for 10 minutes.
Allow the mushrooms to cool slightly before carefully transferring them into a large glass jar and then place in the fridge.
Assemble the meze platter with your favourite cheeses, pickles and breads. Slather the mushroom tapenade onto crusty baguette and enjoy the pickled mushrooms with a creamy goat’s cheese or just as is.
GIN PAIRING
Fill a glass with ice and add a strip of lime zest. Pour over 50ml Six Dogs Karoo Gin and finish off with 150ml tonic water
TASTING NOTES: Six Dogs Gin and the collection of small bites around marinated mushrooms & mushroom tapenade are a perfect accompaniment. The acidic bite from the marinated mushrooms is balanced by the subtle flavours of the Karoo thorn and lavender which emanate from the Six Dogs.