FREEZE DRYING MUSHROOMS RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the filling, heat the butter or oil in a large saucepan and gently fry the onion, carrots, celery and garlic for 15 mins until soft and golden. Turn up the heat, add the mushrooms, then cook for 3-4 mins. Sprinkle in the thyme and add the lentils. Pour over the wine and stock, then simmer gently, uncovered, for about 40-45 mins until the lentils are soft. If you find the mixture is drying out, you can add a splash more stock or water.
• Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a large pan, pour over boiling water and boil for 15-20 mins until tender. Drain well. You can use a potato ricer at this stage to make them super creamy, or mash with the butter and milk, then season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the lentils from the heat, add the tomato purée and yeast extract, if using. Stir well and check to see if you need seasoning, then add a good grinding of black pepper.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. To assemble, butter four-six small pie dishes or one a large dish and spoon in the lentil mixture, then top with mash. It’s fun to pipe on the mash if you have a piping bag, but if not, you can spoon it on and fluff into peaks with a fork. Bake for 30-40 mins until golden. Serve with peas on the side, if you like.

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the uncooked chicken, mushrooms, onion, hoisin sauce, mustard and chili sauce; cover and process until blended., Place 1 tablespoon chicken mixture in the center of 1 wrapper. (Until ready to use, keep remaining wrappers covered with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.) Moisten entire edge with egg. Fold wrapper over filling to form a semicircle. Press edges firmly to seal, pleating the front side to form several folds., Holding sealed edges, place each dumpling on an even surface; press to flatten bottom. Curve ends to form a crescent shape. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling., Working in batches, arrange pot stickers in a single layer on a large greased steamer basket rack; place in a Dutch oven over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam until filling juices run clear, 5-7 minutes. Repeat with remaining pot stickers., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Serve with pot stickers. Refrigerate leftovers.
  Freeze option: Cover and freeze uncooked pot stickers in a single layer on waxed paper-lined sheets until firm. Transfer to freezer containers; return to freezer. To use, steam as directed until heated through and juices run clear.