Itґs autumn, so letґs go hunting for mushrooms

Mushrooms have long had a special place in Russian culture, and on the Russian table. When crops failed, peasants counted on them to stave of starvation. After the introduction of Orthodox Christianity, mushrooms became a stand-in for meat during Lent. In Czarist times, when the French developed a taste for Russian mushrooms, fungus-finding trumped farming as a profitable activity in some Russian regions.

The love of mushrooms - and of mushroom hunting - continues to this day. Russian men remember trailing behind his babushka, basket in hand, as she searched for the perfect lisichki, or chanterelles, and both men and women, young and old, enthusiastically set out in pursuit of a few prize specimens for the dinner table. Take note, however: mushroom hunting is not for the inexperienced. Unless you are with a veteran mushroom hunter, the best rule is: "When in doubt, throw it out."

Not surprisingly, there are a vast array of Russian dishes where mushrooms are featured. Julienne, the one Iґve included here, is a mushroom casserole that originated in France, but its ingredients made it an instant hit in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. It is now a standard appetizer on the menu of any Russian restaurant around the world.

Preparation

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.

2. Add mushrooms, onions, salt and pepper.

3. Sautee for 5-7 minutes, adding flour towards the end. Remove when flour begins to turn a golden brown.

4. Add sour cream, stir to mix, and cook until hot, 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Transfer mushroom mixture to a heatproof baking dish or pan (in Russian restaurants, small aluminum ramekins are used) and sprinkle top with cheese.

6. Broil casserole until cheese is melted and lightly browned and bubbling on top.

7. Serve immediately.

Ingredients

o 200 grams wild mushrooms, cleaned, stemmed and sliced. Obviously, the mushrooms make the dish, so be sure that you use more flavourful ones such as shitake or chanterelle. Mix with portobello or button mushrooms if you like.

o 3 onions, chopped

o 2 teaspoon flour

o 5 tablespoons butter

o 100 millilitres 20pc sour cream

o 100 grams grated cheese - Emmental works well but similar cheeses will do.

o salt, ground black pepper to taste

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