This makes an awesome appetizer any time of the year.
1 cup dried mushrooms (morel, porcini, oyster, etc)
1/4 inch thick piece pancetta cut into 1/4 dice
1/2 lb fresh shiitake mushrooms
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup mushroom stock (from soaking dried mushrooms)
2 shallots minced
1 garlic clove minced
1/2 cup walnuts chopped
1/2 cup Fontina cheese grated
Bread - French baguette, ciabatta, etc
2 tbps olive oil
Heat oven to 400 C
Soak dried mushrooms for 30 min in hot water, reserve
Roughly chop mushrooms
Heat saute pan with olive oil
Saute shallots and garlic for 2 min on med heat
Add fresh mushrooms and saute for 8-10 min on med high heat
Add dried mushrooms to mixture
Add walnuts and reduce heat to med for 2 min
Add mushroom stock and reduce by 2/3 6-8 min
Add cream and reduce for 2 min
Meanwhile cut bread to 2 inch pieces and toast bread in oven
Place tablespoon of mixture on bread
Add grated cheese on top
Put in 400 degrees oven for 3-4 min until cheese is melted
Serve
