Mushroom

Button Mushroom Salad

by:
March 17, 2011
4.3
3 Ratings
Button Mushroom Salad
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

The button mushroom has been nothing but kind to us. It offers up loads of flavor without hogging the spotlight. It's inexpensive and holds its own in the fridge when we ignore it for a week. And while we can now buy many different kinds of mushrooms, the button remains delicious.

And so I present you with a button mushroom salad, inspired by one I had at Txikito, an excellent Basque restaurant in Chelsea. Txikito's is made with king oyster mushrooms. When I later tried to recreate this recipe, I realized that king oyster mushrooms just weren't available to most home cooks. But there sitting in my local Gristedes, waiting to help, was the button. —Amanda Hesser

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 12 large button mushrooms, wiped clean with a damp paper towel and stems trimmed
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 1 large garlic clove, lightly smashed
  • Salt
  • Olive oil, for cooking and dressing the mushrooms
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons finely diced tomato
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons slivered almonds, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano cheese
  • Thin slices of toasted baguette, for serving
Directions
  1. Arrange the mushrooms stem-side-down in a single layer in a saucepan. They should fit snugly. Use more than one pan if needed. Tuck the thyme and garlic between the mushrooms. Season with salt. Add enough olive oil to barely cover the mushrooms. Set the pan over medium heat and cook until bubbles rise to the surface, then reduce the heat to low and poach, uncovered, until tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
  2. Use a slotted spoon to remove the mushrooms to a cutting board. Let them cool. Reserve the oil. If there’s mushroom liquid at the bottom of the pan, pour the oil into a container and save the mushroom liquid to dress the mushrooms.
  3. Very thinly slice the mushrooms (think carpaccio). On each of 4 salad plates, arrange the slices in overlapping rows to form a circle about 6 inches in diameter. Squeeze the lemon over the mushrooms, making sure to hit all of them – be generous! Season with salt if needed. Sprinkle the mushrooms with tomato and almonds. Dress with the mushroom liquid if there is any, or your best olive oil. Sprinkle with the cheese.
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  • boulangere
    boulangere
  • latoscana
    latoscana
  • Nora
    Nora
  • Miche
    Miche
  • Amanda Hesser
    Amanda Hesser
Amanda Hesser

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

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9 Reviews

linasofia
linasofia July 16, 2012
I made these delicious mushrooms, and topped them with poached eggs (side of buttered soldiers)! Amazing
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. July 17, 2012
Yum!
 
boulangere
boulangere March 20, 2011
This was wonderful! I served it as an appetizer last night and used the mushroom-infused oil to brush the crostini prior to browning them.
 
latoscana
latoscana March 20, 2011
Gosh, this takes me back to childhood. My grandmother often sauteed sliced mushrooms with garlic and ate them on toast for lunch. Thanks for reminding me of this delicious yet simple dish.
 
Nora
Nora March 18, 2011
Mushrooms are now on my shopping list. I'm eager to try this! Question: will they keep?
 
kr2160
kr2160 March 18, 2011
the way you describe the helpful button mushroom is very cute :) it is indeed inexpensive and patient when we ignore it for weeks in the fridge!
 
Miche
Miche March 18, 2011
I've seen recipes which don't list water in the ingredient list, so thought maybe you considered olive oil such a staple it didn't have to be mentioned either : ) as do I!
 
Miche
Miche March 18, 2011
shouldn't olive oil be listed in the ingredients?
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. March 18, 2011
Thanks for the catch -- fixed now!