If you love spice. If you love mushrooms. If you love cheese. Then this Spicy Mushroom and Stracciatella Bruschetta is the ultimate bruschetta for you.
This recipe seamlessly combines the earthy richness of mushrooms, the bold kick of spice, and the creamy indulgence of stracciatella cheese, all served atop crispy, toasted bread. The combination of textures and flavours will elevate your taste buds to new heights and will be your new favourite recipe in the kitchen.
The three main ingredients to build the perfect bruschetta:
Mushrooms: To craft the perfect Spicy Mushroom and Stracciatella Bruschetta, start with a medley of mushrooms. The combination of shiitake, oyster, and cremini mushrooms adds layers of flavour and texture. Wild mushrooms bring an earthy richness that complements the creaminess of the cheese, creating a harmonious blend.
Stracciatella Cheese: Originating from the Puglia region of Italy, Stracciatella is a heavenly cheese made from fresh mozzarella and cream. Its decadent, soft texture and mild flavour make it the ideal companion to the robust mushrooms. As it melts over the warm bruschetta, Stracciatella adds a luxurious creaminess that binds all the elements together.
Ciabatta Bread: The foundation of any good bruschetta is the bread, and ciabatta provides the perfect canvas for this dish. With its rustic crust and soft, airy interior, ciabatta crisps up beautifully when toasted, offering a delightful crunch that contrasts with the velvety mushrooms and cheese.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Elevate the flavour of your bruschetta with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The fruity and peppery notes of the olive oil not only enhance the mushrooms' natural earthiness but also contribute a silky richness to the overall dish.
Garlic and Shallots: Infuse the mushrooms with aromatic depth by sautéing garlic and shallots.
Chili Flakes: Chili flakes bring the heat to our Spicy Mushroom and Stracciatella Bruschetta. Adjust the quantity based on your spice preference.
Fresh Thyme: Finish off your bruschetta with a shower of fresh thyme. This herb contributes a burst of freshness that balances the richness of the cheese and mushrooms, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Spicy Mushroom and Stracciatella Bruschetta
(Serves 6)
Ingredients for Spicy Mushroom and Stracciatella Bruschetta
375g portobello mushrooms, sliced
150g Stracciatella cheese
4 small brown onions, finely sliced into rounds
50g butter
2 garlic cloves, minced + 1 garlic clove reserved for the toasted bread
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil + extra for the bread and serving
Salt and pepper to season
1 ciabatta loaf, sliced diagonally into 6 pieces
Method for Spicy Mushroom and Stracciatella Bruschetta
Preheat the oven to 180c/375f and line a baking tray with parchment paper Slice ciabatta bread and lightly coat with a little olive oil. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Alternatively, fry bread in a little olive oil for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Place on paper towels to remove any excess oil. Set aside.
In a medium frypan over medium to low heat, pour half of the olive oil, butter, and shallots. Cook down for 10 minutes until the shallots are soft and caramelized. Turn off the heat, remove from the pan, and set aside in a bowl.
In the same frypan over medium to low heat, add the remaining olive oil, butter, garlic, red pepper flakes, fresh thyme, and mushrooms Season with salt and pepper and stir. Cook for 10 minutes until the mushrooms are soft, golden brown, and slightly crisp on the over edges. Add back in the cooked onions, season with a little more salt and pepper if desired, stirring to combine. Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
To assemble bruschetta, rub a little garlic on each of the slices of toasted ciabatta bread. Spread stracciatella on each of the toasts and spoon a generous amount of mushroom mix on top. Add more fresh thyme leaves, sea salt, and an extra drizzle of olive oil.
Buon Appetito x