Mushroom Canapes

 

Cheesy Mushroom Puff Pastry Bites. An easy and delicious puff pastry appetizer

The Holiday Season is a special time for family and friend to gather and to celebrate with food. These mushroom and  cheese cananpes are the perfect and irresistible puff pastry appetizer. These bite-sized rounds of flaky puff pastry topped with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and melted cheese.

 

Makes About 45 to 50 Canapes

 

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
16 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Two, 10-inch square sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons whole grain mustard
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions:

Place racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Set side.

In a large skillet over medium low heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the onions and salt. Sauté the onions until beginning to brown, then reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized, about 25 minutes total. Remove the onions to a large bowl and set aside.

In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon olive oil over medium low and sauté the mushrooms until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, and black pepper and sauté 1 additional minute. Place in the bowl with the onions. Stir in the cheese.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry into an even 10.5-inch square. With a 2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut the pastry into rounds (alternatively, you can slice the puff pastry into squares). You should have approximately 5 rows of 5 rounds (25 total rounds per sheet). Transfer the cut puff pastry to a prepared baking sheet, then brush lightly with the beaten egg. Prick each round with a fork to allow air to escape, then top each round with a scant 1/4 teaspoon of the whole grain mustard, then 1 tablespoon of the mushroom and onion filling. Repeat with the second pastry sheet.

Bake for 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crisp, rotating the pans 180 degrees and switching the positions of the baking sheets on the upper and lower racks halfway through. Let bites cool 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.

 
TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor


Chicken Thighs in Red Pepper Sauce

Photo Credit: Maren Caruso

 

You can start the meal with a fresh Green Salad with Olives, Manchego & Romesco Sauce. But the star of the dinner  will be the main flavors in this one-pan dish—roasted red peppers, thyme, garlic, and sherry vinegar—ingredients that are quintessentially Spanish. This dish is so easy to prepare. Begin with searing the thighs on the stovetop to crisp the skin and then finish them in the oven to cook evenly as they are braised in chicken broth.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons olive oil
8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and skin
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 cloves garlic, smashed
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 cup chicken broth
3 jarred roasted red peppers, drained and cut into 1-inch strips
1 medium russet potato, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar
Crusty French bread, for serving

 

Directions:
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F. Heat the oil in a large, oven-proof sauté pan over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Add half the thighs to the pan, skin side down. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook without touching until the skin browns and easily releases from the pan, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a large plate. Add the remaining chicken and cook it in the same manner. Transfer the chicken to the plate. Add the garlic and thyme to the pan and cook until the garlic is lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, red peppers, potato, and sherry vinegar to the pan, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, return the chicken to the pan skin side up, and transfer to the oven.

Braise the chicken, uncovered, until the potato pieces are tender and the chicken is completely cooked through, about 30 minutes. Serve with the  a rustic crust of bread or a baguette for soaking up the broth.

 

TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor


Dairy-Free Egg Nog

 

Cater to your lactose-intolerant guests at your next holiday party with this dairy-free egg nog. This quick and simple recipe is sure to impress!

Adapted from  Chef Aaron Sanchez

Makes 8 Servings

Ingredients:
2 cups almond milk (click here for homemade almond milk)
2 cups coconut milk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
4 large pastured egg yolks
8 cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)

Directions:
In a blender or food processor, process all the ingredients on high speed for 2 minutes, until the egg yolks are fully incorporated. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate until chilled, for about 30 minutes.

Pour into glasses and serve chilled with freshly grated nutmeg sprinkled on top. Add a cinnamon stick, for garnish, if desired.

TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor