Mini mushroom picnic pies
First, I feel I should pre-emptively say: I am aware that my mini mushroom picnic pies look decidedly rustic. This is partly because I like them that way (if I wanted something to look like I’d bought it from a shop, I’d save myself a whole lot of effort and just buy it from a shop), and partly because I’m more interested in how a recipe tastes than how it looks. Oh, and also partly because I’m not very good at pastry. But never mind! Rustic mushroom picnic pies it is.
Hopefully the fact that you can be as inept as I am with pastry, and still end up with a delicious, somewhat presentable picnic pie will be reassuring to those of you who are equally (vegetarian) ham-fisted. Pastry is very forgiving!
By now, you may have noticed my immense love of mushrooms. It’s an obsession, really – I’d put them in everything if I didn’t think you guys would get bored of me. They’re cheap, they’re a great source of protein, aaaand they go with just about everything – so versatile. Mushrooms are brilliant in wintery stews and casseroles, but there’s so much more to them than that – they’re great for summer recipes too. Like these little mushroom picnic pies! They’re creamy, garlicky, herby, all wrapped in flaky, crispy pastry. It really doesn’t get better than that.
No more soggy sandwiches – picnic pies are the way to go.
I also tried making these mushroom picnic pies with a mushroom pâté-style filling, but in the end I decided I preferred this chunkier version. It really is hard to beat creamy garlic mushrooms.
By the way, if you’re not planning any picnics any time soon, these mini mushroom pies are good served warm too, perhaps with some greenery and a bit of potato salad!
Mini mushroom picnic pies
Ingredients
- 375 g shortcrust pastry (1 roll)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 medium onion, diced fairly small
- 500 g mushrooms, cut into 1cm dice (~ 6 cups when diced) - I used chestnut mushrooms
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- Flour for rolling
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Remove the pastry from the fridge, and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan, and add the onion. Cook over a medium heat for a couple of minutes, until slightly soft. Add the diced mushrooms and garlic, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for another 5-10 minutes, until the mushrooms are fully cooked and any excess liquid has evaporated.
- Remove from the heat, and add the chopped parsley and cream cheese. Mix well, and set aside to cool.
- Heat the oven to 190°C (Gas Mark 5 / 375°F).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry until it's nice and thin (even if it's already pre-rolled).
- Lightly grease a mini loaf tray or cupcake tray. Line about six cups with a rectangle of pastry, gently pressing it into the corners. If the pastry tears at all, just patch it up with small pieces of pastry. Trim off any excess, leaving just half a centimetre or so around each edge.
- When the creamy mushroom mixture is mostly cooled, distribute it into the six pies. Place another piece of pastry on top, and tightly roll the excess pastry to seal (you'll probably have some pastry left over).
- Cut a small cross in the top of each pie, and brush with a little milk.
- Bake the pies for around 45 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a rack to cool, or serve warm.
Note: Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose.
NICE ONE
this is AWESOME!!! yummy. I can’t wait to try this! Pinned! so healthy!!!!!!!
Such a great idea. This sounds so zesty and delicious! I cannot wait to try it out!
I love mushrooms very much. You’re killin’ me today, this looks incredible and I love the flavors!!
These are so cute! Mushrooms are something I used to hate but now love so I’d be up for trying these :)
I think a lot of people realise they like mushrooms as they get older, weird!
I’m not a fan of mushrooms, but they look so nice!
Haha pastry is very effective at making things look yummy isn’t it ;)
What a unique idea! I absolutely love mushrooms so will have to try to make these myself x
What are you on about my dear? Genuinely think they look amazing and I they taste just as lovely!
Hehe thanks Kavey!
Great recipe, perfect for mixing up a picnic a little, it is nice to have something different to eat.
Yum! Mushroom pies have always been one of my favs – and I LOVE the idea of making mini ones for picnics. x
Mushrooms in the pie! These yummy cuties look perfect for a picnic indeed
I can not wait to make these mushroom pies. I LOVE MUSHROOMS AND PASTRY! I will post a picture upon completion. 😋
I always use ready made pastry, I can make it but life is just too short.
Lovely pies, and I think I prefer the square ones to the more traditional round.
Ohhhhh this looks insanely scrummy! Yum yum yum!
These look and sound absolutely amazing! Do you think I could make them without the cream cheese and they would still taste good? xx
I don’t see why not! :)
Awesome recipe! I love mushrooms and this recipe is such an original and cool way to cook and serve a healthy meal. Time to roll!
These mini pies look absolutely delicious, not had pie in a while now and this looks like a great way to introduce them back into my life
Oh my goodness I would love these!! I have to try and make them soon x
I love the look of these Picnic Pies. Great job!
not too keen on savoury pastry, can I just have the shrooms on the side please!
a great picnic addition, better than a floppy ham sanwich and a boiled egg!
Not a fan of savoury pastry?! :O Haha actually though the creamy mushroom mixture would be great served in other ways too – maybe stirred through pasta? :)
sounds like an idea! thanks :)
i can only eat mushrooms when they’re in a pie for some reason haha sounds delish!
Haha well pastry does a very good job of making just about anything taste delicious ;)
These look seriously yummy and fairly simple to make too
These look lovely – need a daytrip out!
I think that these look great! Like you say, if you wanted something “Perfect” looking, then you would buy something factory made. I bet they taste delicious too.
Awwww how cute are these!!! They remind me of a large pie ny mum makes which we often serve cold on a buffet :-) these look like perfect picnic fare!
I do love a big pie but sometimes it’s nice to have them pre-portioned :)
These look and sounds delicious! Mushrooms and pastry… I’m sold! x
These look so so tasty. This would be ideal for the coming picnic we are going on!
These are so fun! I need to try making some. The guys would love all of those mushrooms!
Oh wow these sound like a really interesting picnic addition!
Much nicer than soggy sandwiches ;)
I love making my own little pasties like this, I tend to opt for cheese and onion ones x
I love those too! :) Did you see the recipe I posted recently? http://www.amuse-your-bouche.com/cheese-onion-lentil-rolls
I love rustic pies and these little picnic pies look divine, a great treat for picnics or to munch on the go.
These look gorgeous! Golden and beautiful – I don’t know what you’re worried about :-)
I’ve made similar things in a puff pastry turnover but never thought to put mushroom filling in a pie for some reason. Until now, that is! Thanks!
Mushrooms and pastry were made for each other! :)
Now Miss Becca, have a word with yourself because honestly, THESE ARE GORGEOUS! I would be very proud to serve anything that looked like this. Rustic, schmustic. Just lovely, and of course they are guaranteed to taste delish too. :-)
Haha to be honest, these do look a little better than my first batch – now those were rustic!
What a great idea the pies look really yummy I’d love to try making them myself.
I am wondering how I have never had a mushroom pie given I adore mushroom in all forms and of course pie x
These look amazing, I haven’t made my own pastry in years I always cheat these days x
The pre-rolled stuff is so fantastic that it seems a bit pointless to make your own!
This looks tasty! I am also a fan of mushrooms. It’s weird because I hated them as a kid. I’m off to check out your beef stroganoff recipe next.
It seems quite common that people start liking mushrooms as they get older. Olives too – I used to hate them and now I can’t get enough!
These are really cool looking! Almost reminds me of a mushroom calzone I get from a local pizzeria
Oh I looove calzone! Anything with bread, mushrooms and cheese can’t be bad :D
These are SO adorable. The perfect portable pie. Yum!
These look delicious! Love that they are perfectly portioned! It would be lovely to have a picnic, but the weather here has been absolutely manic these past few days!! A girl can hope, right?!
Whereabouts do you live? Where I am, we’ve alternated between sunshine and storms all week!
Yum! I am a big mushroom fan! I am definitely in the “I’d rather it taste good than look like the cover of a magazine” camp. However, I think your pastries are lovely and more than just presentable!
Well thank you! :)
Pastry tastes yummy whatever it looks like – rustic is good!! ;) Love the sound of this filling.
Couldn’t agree more – very hard to make pastry taste bad! :)
They look beautiful! There’s nothing wrong with your pastry skills. I love mushrooms too, and agree that they’re better a little chunky when used as a filling. I’m excited to pin this recipe for later!
Oh wow – these sound and look stellar!
Your “rustic” looks simply exquisite!
Yum, these look amazing. I’m too lazy to try and make pastry look nice, so I go for the rustic look too :-)
Saying something was supposed to look rustic is my usual way to cover up my messiness haha
Me too but it usually works! they look so cute anyway I can’t wait to make.