Mushroom & Leek Tarte Tatin

A mushroom tarte tatin is a wonderful way to showcase mushrooms in their own right. They have a wonderful flavour and deserve their own outing as the star of the meal occasionally.

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While many consider mushrooms a plant, or vegetable, they are in fact a fungus. Well, the fruit of a fungal organism, to be exact. If you think of the way apple trees bear fruit with seeds to produce new apple trees, the fungus that creates mushrooms bears its fruit (in this case mushrooms) to carry spores that will produce new mushrooms.

Mushroom History

Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It's not surprising when you consider there are over 14,000 species of mushrooms available. Of the 14,000 species we know about, 700 have known medicinal properties. Surprisingly, only about 1% of mushrooms are, in fact, poisonous.

Mushrooms have been revered by different cultures throughout history for different reasons. The ancient Egyptians thought mushrooms were a delicacy and they were eaten by the Pharaohs. The Romans thought they were a gift from God. The Greeks ate them because they thought they provided them with inner strength during a battle. And the Chinese studied and used them for medicinal purposes.

Mushroom Nutrition

Medically and nutritionally speaking, mushrooms are very low in calories (mainly due to the fact they are 80 to 90% water). They are high in potassium which helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. Their high copper levels help to form red blood cells. Mushrooms are also high in selenium (a powerful antioxidant), B vitamins, and fibre. Certain varieties of mushrooms have even more health benefits and are being researched for their medical applications—particularly in relation to cancer prevention, blood sugar regulation and effects on lowering cholesterol.

Mushroom Recipes

Regardless of all the health and medical benefits, I love mushrooms not only for their taste but also their versatility. They can be added to sauces, pasta, casseroles, soups, stir fries, salads, pizzas, and so much more.

Do you like mushrooms?  What is your favourite way to enjoy them?

How to Make Mushroom & Leek Tarte Tatin

1. Preheat the oven.
2. Melt the butter in a frying pan. Add the leek and garlic and cook until the leek is softened.  Remove the leek from the pan.
3. Add the mushrooms and thyme leaves to the pan and cook for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cut pastry to the size of your pans.
5. Place the cooked mushrooms in the bottom and then layer with the cooked leeks. Top with 2 rounds of pastry and then brush the top layer with beaten egg.
6. Bake in the oven for 15–20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden. Remove and place a plate or wire rack on top of the container and invert.

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