MUSHROOM VACUUM RECIPES

Steps:

• Finely chop the mushrooms by hand, or pulse the mushrooms in a food processor until they're finely chopped, but be careful not to over-process them. Traditionally you would chop them by hand, and it will give the best texture.
• Heat a large saute pan with the oil. Heat the pan until hot and nearly smoking, then add the mushrooms and shallots, and stir to coat with the oil. Cook for a minute or two, stirring occasionally.
• Add the salt, pepper and the herbs. Continue to cook, lowering the heat to medium to prevent scorching. Cook the mixture for ten minutes, until the mushrooms have given up their water and the pan starts to look dry.
• Deglaze the pan with the sherry or wine, then cook off the liquid again until the pan is dry, stirring the pan to coat the mushrooms with the juices. From here, if you like the flavor, you can cool the duxelles and refrigerate them for a few days, or freeze right away for later. If the duxelles taste mild to you, as may happen if you're making a large batch, proceed to drying them out in the oven.
• Drying/roasting the duxelles to finish (optional)

Steps:

• To make the pastry, either put the plain flour and butter into a food processor with a generous pinch of salt and pulse until it resembles breadcrumbs, or rub it in by hand. Add all but a tablespoon of the egg yolk and just enough chilled water to bind it together. Shape into a ball, wrap in cling film, and chill in the fridge until you are ready to roll it. Reserve the remaining egg yolk for egg wash later.
• To make the filling, put the butter in a large saucepan and melt over a low heat. Add the leeks and cover. Fry for 5 minutes.
• Turn up the heat slightly and add the mushrooms. Cook for a further 4–5 minutes, then add the garlic and thyme. If using, drain the rehydrated mushrooms, reserving their soaking liquor, and roughly chop. Add to the saucepan.
• Add the flour and stir until you can see a roux has formed around the vegetables.
• Stir in the mustard, then add the marsala and stir until it is well incorporated. Gradually add the stock and the mushroom liquor, if using. (If not using the mushroom liquor, use the larger quantity of stock.) Bring the mixture to the boil, then turn down and simmer, continuing to stir, until it has thickened. Add the chestnuts, cover, and remove from the heat. Leave to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.
• Divide the pastry into two pieces, one slightly bigger than the other. Roll out the larger piece of pastry and use it to line a pie dish. Add the cooled filling.
• Roll out the remaining piece of pastry and top the pie, wetting the edges with the egg wash, making sure they are well crimped together. Cut a couple of slits in the pie to let steam escape and brush with egg wash.
• Bake in the oven for around 40–45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Serve in slices.