Jean-Christophe Novelli's Oignons Farçis aux Champignons
Jean-Christophe Novelli's Oignons Farçis aux Champignons (or stuffed onions with mushrooms) is a perfect starter for a Get Together meal with family or friends. Enjoy a Coq au Vin for your main dish and perhaps a classic Tarte Tatin for dessert to make an impressive three course meal.
AA Rosette and Michelin award winning chef, and dubbed “the nation’s favourite French chef”, Jean-Christophe shares his delicious recipe to give your Get Together an elegant air.
INGREDIENTS
4 large onions (St André if available)
2 tbsp extra virgin rapeseed oil
150g mushrooms (shitake, or better still, oyster mushrooms - chopped)
1 sprig thyme
1 sprig sage
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 tsp cep powder (see tip)
100g crème fraîche
50g Beaufort cheese (sliced thickly)
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180ºC (fan), 200ºC (non-fan), or gas mark 6.
Steam the onions for 15-20 minutes (depending on the size). Remove from the steamer and carefully slice the top off each onion. Keep to one side for presenting the dish later.
When cool to the touch, scoop out some of the flesh from the end that has been sliced off and place in a bowl. Make sure the outer layers of the onion stay intact, for filling later on.
Heat the rapeseed oil in a hot sauté pan. Add the mushrooms, thyme, sage and garlic and sweat for a couple of minutes.
Then add the onion pulp and sweat for a further five minutes. Slowly dry out the mixture, then add the cep powder and mix thoroughly - creating what’s called a ‘Duxelles’ (paste). When this mixture is completely dry, you will enjoy the fabulous aromas.
At this point, add the crème fraîche and bring to the boil to reduce a little. Set aside to cool.
To serve
When the onion and Duxelles mixture is cold, spoon back into the onions and place on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes.
Add the cheese and bake for a further 10 minutes. Serve immediately.
Host a Get Together this September
Get Together with family and friends this September, and raise money to help fight neuroblastoma, a devastating childhood cancer.
Whether you host a BBQ, a Sunday roast, a coffee morning or even a teddy bear’s picnic, your Get Together this September will make a big difference to children with neuroblastoma and their families.