Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick) or 1/4 cup margarine (1/2 stick)
  • 6 cups button mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon dry sherry
  • salt, to taste
  • fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 -8 slices whole wheat bread (or purchased Melba toast)

Method

  • Heat half the butter in a large sacuepan and, keeping the high heat, saute half the mushrooms quickly for 3-4 minutes, until just tender and lightly browned. If they begin to make liquid, the butter is not hot enough -- the mushrooms should be dry.
  • Remove mushrooms with a slotted spoon and set aside. Repeat with remaining butter and mushrooms.
  • Remove 6 perfect mushroom slices and reserve for the garnish.
  • Work the rest of the mushroom slices in a blender or food processor with the cream, sherry, and seasoning to taste.
  • Spoon the pate mixture into 6 individual ramekins or pate dishes, level the tops, then press one of the reserved mushroom slices into the top of each.
  • Cool, then chill the pates.
  • MAKE MELBA TOAST:.
  • Use the bread to make Melba toast. Toast the bread on both sides, then with a sharp knife cut through the bread to split each slice in half, making two thin pieces.
  • Toast the uncooked sides under the broiler until crisp and brown -- the edges will curl up.
  • Let the toast cool.
  • The Melba toast will keep 2-3 days in an airtight tin.