I recently purchased Yotam Ottolenghi latest cookbook Plenty. Yes, it is a vegetarian cookbook, but I love the simple, yet hearty recipes and the Missus has taken to the photos. We're still in the mode of eating at home so I thought I'd make this for Saturday brunch. The original recipe uses duck eggs, I had some really nice extra large organic eggs so I used that. I didn't fuss about with creating sourdough toast in the oven, I simply went with some Cherry Blossom white bread brushed with roasted garlic olive oil. Also, for some reason I couldn't find any fresh thyme….and I really didn't want to spend too much, ahem, time (pun intended) looking for it. I had some fresh oregano on hand so I subbed that. I hadn't poached eggs in years….like fifteen years, so they didn't come out as pretty as I desired…..but man this was good.
Man that drizzle of truffle oil does take it up a level too…….
Things not to sub out; the dried porcini plays a key role. Do use a variety of mushrooms…..I mean really, you don't have to go hunting for chanterelles or anything, but I did use oyster mushrooms, along with some maitake mushrooms to go with the standard white and crimini mushrooms. Of course the Missus spent a good deal of time picking out the porcini mushrooms to savor. I added garlic to the dish because, well, we love garlic and replaced sour cream with creme fraiche….because….well, just because.
Mushroom Ragout with Poached Egg on Toast
1/2 oz dried porcini mushrooms
2 1/2 cup water
1 1/2 lbs mixed fresh mushrooms
5-6 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1 onion sliced
1 carrot sliced
3 stalks of celery sliced
1/2 cup white wine
2 Tb chopped fresh oregano
3-4 Tb chopped tarragon
4 large poached eggs
3-4 Tb Creme Fraiche
salt and pepper
chopped tarragon for garnish
truffle oil
4 slices thick cut toasted white bread brushed with roasted garlic olive oil
– Soak the porcini mushroom in 1 cup of luke warm water for 30 minutes
– Clean and slice mushrooms
– Heat 1 Tb of olive oil over medium heat in a thick bottomed pan and scatter one-third of the mushrooms in pan (do not crowd). I divided up the mushrooms based on cooking time. Leave mushrooms to caramelize for a minute or two without touching before turning to brown for another minute or so, then remove. Follow the same process for the rest of the mushrooms.Add oil as necessary.
– Once mushrooms are done, add 1-2 Tb of olive oil and put onion, celery, and carrot into the pan and saute, but do not brown.
– Once the vegetables soften add the white wine and let simmer for a minute or two.
– While vegetables are softening remove porcini soaking liquid, squeezing out excess liquid. Chop into pieces matching the cooked mushrooms and combine.
– Add the porcini liquid to the pan, making sure to not add the grit and bring to a simmer.
– Add 1 1/2 cup water, garlic, the oregano and tarragon, and salt and pepper to taste.
– Let this liquid simmer slowly for 15 – 25 minutes until you have about 1 cup or so liquid left.
– Strain this mixture over a large bowl and discard the vegetables.
– While the stock is reducing poach your eggs.
– When you are done poaching eggs and the stock has been strained, put stock back in pan, adding in mushrooms and heat. Add creme fraiche to thicken.
– When the dish is composed drizzle a bit of truffle oil over the eggs.
Eat, then go back to bed……
