Mushroom caviar! Quick EASY appetizer with finely chopped fresh mushrooms sautéed in butter with shallots, garlic, and white wine, then mixed with sour cream, pine nuts, lemon juice and parsley.
Whoever came up with the term “mushroom caviar” must have been in marketing!
Mushroom caviar just sounds so much more catchy than “mushroom spread” or “minced mushrooms and shallots sautéed in butter,” doesn’t it? Even though that’s basically what it is—a “poor man’s” version of the real thing.
The good news is that this mushroom caviar is terrific! Especially for those of us who love mushrooms.
It’s a quick and easy spread for crackers, perfect for a gathering.
Mushroom Caviar Recipe
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 1 1/2 cups, serves 4
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and finely chopped (or pulsed a few times in a food processor)
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup of minced shallots
- 1 Tbsp dry white wine (e.g. Sauvignon Blanc) optional
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 Tbsp pine nuts
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
- A couple dashes of cayenne pepper, to taste
Method
1 Sauté mushrooms, shallots, and garlic: Melt butter in a large skillet on high heat. Add the mushrooms and shallots. Sauté for 5 minutes stirring frequently. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper while cooking.
Once the mushrooms have cooked for about 5 minutes, add the garlic and a tablespoon of dry white wine (if using). Cook for an additional minute and remove from heat.
2 Toast the pine nuts: While the mushrooms are cooking, heat a small skillet on high heat. Add the pine nuts. Cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to get a little toasted. (Keep your eyes on the nuts, they can burn pretty quickly.)
As soon as they begin to toast, remove the pan from the heat and put the pine nuts into a small bowl. Set aside.
3 Once the mushrooms have cooled down a bit, mix in the pine nuts, lemon juice, sour cream, and parsley. Add more salt and pepper, if needed, to taste. Sprinkle on cayenne pepper, to taste. Chill before serving.
Spoon onto a large butter lettuce leaf and serve with crackers. (Use rice crackers for gluten-free option.)
