I don’t get many opportunities to be classy. It’s (arguably) not that I’m actively classless, but when you spend your days cooking, cleaning and plonked in front of a computer, it’s hard to feel glamorous. Nobody wants to see me hanging up washing in a ball gown.
So, when I want to feel classy for a change, I make canapés with a glass of wine in hand (there’s no other way).
This Bin 65 Chardonnay from Lindeman’s was just the thing. To prevent myself from drinking the whole bottle (which probably would have reduced my class factor considerably...), I put it to good use in these little mushroom bruschettas. Because only classy ladies make canapés, right?
The flavours in these mushroom bruschetta were to die for.
Mushrooms + garlic = amazing.
Mushrooms + cream = amazing.
Mushrooms + parsley = amazing.
Mushrooms + garlic + cream + parsley + white wine… amaaaaazing.
I drizzled the creamy mushrooms mixture over a slice of perfectly grilled halloumi, and sat the lot on a crispy piece of baguette.
Let's be honest, it’s more my style to munch my way through a plate of canapés on my own, but I forced myself to share, and they got a thumbs up all round. Even my mushroom-hating husband went back for seconds, and thirds, and fourths…
These mushroom bruschetta (which, by the way, is actually pronounced 'brusketta', not 'brushetta'... I've been saying it wrong for years) may look fancy, but they were really easy. You just need to cook off your mushrooms with plenty of garlic, add the wine and a dash of cream. Then pile it all up with your halloumi, and hey presto, you've got canapés.
If you wanted to use this white wine-mushroom-cream mixture for an alternative purpose (it would be amazing on pasta), just don't cook it for as long, so it ends up a bit saucier.
Now, I’m no wine connoisseur, but the Lindeman’s chardonnay was beautifully fruity, and went so well with the salty halloumi. The wine also really lifted the creamy mushroom mixture and helped it to feel really light and summery.
By the way, if you do serve these canapés at a dinner party, make sure you save yourself a glass of the wine for after your guests have left. Kick off your shoes and unwind… the washing up can wait until tomorrow!
White wine mushroom bruschetta with halloumi
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Print Pin CommentIngredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 350 g mushrooms I used a mixture of white mushrooms and chestnut mushrooms, diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 200 g halloumi cut into ½ cm slices
- inch Small baguette cut into around 9 x 1 slices
- 100 ml chardonnay
- 50 ml single cream
- 3 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, and add the mushrooms and garlic. Cook over a fairly low heat for 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are soft. Then add the white wine, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for a further 5 minutes, until there isn't too much excess liquid left over.
- White the mushrooms are cooking, put the slices of halloumi in a single layer in a different, dry frying pan, and place over a medium heat. Cook for around 5 minutes - the halloumi will release some liquid, and once this liquid has cooked off, the cheese will begin to brown. When the underside is nice and golden, flip the halloumi slices over and repeat with the other side (note: this side will cook a lot more quickly than the first side!).
- Place the baguette slices on a baking tray and grill (broil) for a couple of minutes each side, until golden brown and crispy.
- When the white wine has cooked right down, add the cream, and cook for a couple more minutes until the sauce is thick. Add the fresh parsley, and season with a touch of salt and plenty of black pepper.
- To plate the bruschetta, add a slice of halloumi to each piece of baguette, and top with the mushroom mixture and extra fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.
Fan of mushrooms? Have you checked out my collection of 40 vegetarian mushroom recipes?
Mandeline Frank says
Wow! Really loved it. What do you think about only one tbsp olive oil? I think it's too little amount.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
You're welcome to use a little more if you feel it needs it! I just try to not go overboard on the oil as it's sooo full of calories haha
Wayne says
These went down so well last year that I have been asked to do them for our Christmas dinner starter again, now there an accolade to be proud of.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Thanks Wayne, I'm so glad you enjoy them :D
Dora King says
I loved this recipe so much I blogged about it! I didnt use Chardonnay but gave it a good glass of Pino and it was really delicious :)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I saw your blog post, thanks for sharing! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Wayne says
Absolute winner. Went down a storm. Any other suggestions for the mushroom topping? It was quite exceptional!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Woop woop, thanks Wayne! Really glad you enjoyed it :) the mushroom mixture is amazing, I agree! I'd personally just stir it through pasta, have it on toast for breakfast, put it in an omelette or quiche? There are so many uses for it! :)
Wayne says
Thanks Becca,
Other ingredients acquired (already had the halloumi) so it's officially our Christmas starter tomorrow. I have a few fussy eaters coming so should be interesting to see how it goes down.
Merry Christmas
Wayne says
After further consideration... The baguette will offer the textural crunch I was thinking of. So that just leaves the question- Do you think this will work as a Christmas starter?
Wayne says
Hi Becca, looks great! I want to do this as a starter for Christmas dinner. I see a lot of recipes which roll the halloumi in flour and fry in oil. In your opinion- ok as a starter? And flour and oil? Any views?
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
It would be great as a starter! Either use a really thin baguette so people can have a few each like canapés, or use a thicker baguette to make a larger piece as a starter :) I've cooked halloumi dozens of times and I've never found I needed flour or oil - if you use a non-stick pan it should be fine, as the halloumi releases some liquid after a minute or so anyway. A touch of oil shouldn't hurt though if you don't have a non-stick pan. Enjoy! :)
Tara says
Totally drooling over this recipe. Your photos are amazing as always too!!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Thanks so much Tara! :)
Nancy @ Neatly-Packaged says
Looks amazing! Anything to do with mushrooms has my name written all over it :)
http://neatly-packaged.com/
[email protected] says
Classy isn't really my thing either, mostly because I am a bit of a klutz. Small, pick-upable foods are my bete noire as I am apt to drop them before they get to my mouth. These look worth the humiliation. Especially if I can have them all to myself with a glass (or two) of wine :-)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Haha yes make sure you eat them all to yourself and no-one will ever know ;)