Roasted Mushrooms With Bacon and Eggs From 'Downtown Italian'

Updated August 29, 2018

bacon, eggs, and roasted mushrooms — Tara Donne

Gabriel Thompson's recipe for Roasted Mushrooms with Bacon and Eggs, from Downtown Italian, written with Katherine Thompson and Joe Campanale, sounds innocent enough, but comes at you guns blazing, all garlicky, salty, and wild.

First, mushrooms (shiitake or any other variety that looks good to you) are pan-roasted in butter and olive oil until deeply browned all over. (I loved the specificity of the directions to cook them in three batches, which perfectly allowed the pound of mushrooms to caramelize all over without steaming. Many recipes simply say to "cook in batches," which has enough wiggle room to allow the impatient—like myself—to crowd the pan, so I appreciate the clear directive.) Just as they were, cooked so carefully and seasoned as instructed, the mushrooms were irresistible; it drove me crazy to try to keep my paws off them, and I will make a plateful just to nibble on very soon. But then Mr. Thompson brings the heat. He cooks down some chopped bacon, adds garlic to fry in the fat, then mixes in strips of hot pickled peppers and some torn basil. Tossed with this fierce mixture and finished with a glug of lemon juice, the mushrooms are transformed into an unruly, umami smack in the face. Runny-yolked fried eggs, started stovetop and finished gently in the oven, and shavings of mild ricotta salata diffuse the situation a bit, but the mushrooms will still leave you reeling.

While this recipe is in the Antipasti chapter and could make for a knock-'em-dead first course, I'd recommend serving it as a brunch main (with twice the amount per serving) certain to wake everyone right up. While Parmesan is given as an alternative to the ricotta salata, I think the moderating effect of the ricotta would be missed. And Thompson notes in the intro, "This is a great dish for guests because you can cook the mushrooms ahead of time and sauté the rest of the ingredients at the last minute."

From Downtown Italian: Recipes Inspired by Italy, Created in New York's West Village by Joe Campanale, Gabriel Thompson, and Katherine Thompson, Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC.

Recipe Details

Roasted Mushrooms With Bacon and Eggs From 'Downtown Italian'

Active 50 mins

Total 50 mins

Serves 4 servings

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Ingredients

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced or torn into ¾-inch-thick pieces (about 6 cups)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
Freshly cracked black pepper
3 1/2 ounces bacon or pancetta, diced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced hot pickled peppers (preferably B&G brand, stems and seeds removed; see Note)
6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, torn
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon
4 large eggs (preferably free range, farm fresh)
4 ounces ricotta salata or Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Once butter has melted, add 1/3 of mushrooms. Scatter mushrooms in an even layer in sauté pan. Cook mushrooms until caramelized on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and some pepper. Remove mushrooms from sauté pan and drain on paper towels. Repeat this process 2 more times with remaining mushrooms.
Lower heat to medium, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to sauté pan. Add bacon or pancetta and cook until fat has rendered and meat is slightly crispy, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook until garlic is slightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add pickled peppers and basil; stir to combine. Then add cooked mushrooms and toss together until mushrooms are warm. Stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed; mixture should be spicy, salty, and lemony. Set aside and keep warm while cooking eggs.
In a medium ovenproof nonstick sauté pan, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon butter over medium heat. When butter has melted, crack eggs and add them to pan. Season eggs generously with salt and pepper. When eggs start to sizzle, place sauté pan in the oven. Cook eggs just until whites are set but yolks are still runny, 2 to 3 minutes.
Divide mushrooms among serving plates. With a rubber spatula, divide eggs into individual servings and slide 1 egg onto each serving of mushrooms. Garnish with freshly grated ricotta salata or Parmesan and serve.
Notes
I grew up in Texas, and spicy or acidic foods appeal to me. So I have a hard time not adding hot pickled peppers to everything I make. My preferred brand is B&G, but any hot pickled pepper will do.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
541	Calories
48g	Fat
14g	Carbs
18g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	541
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 48g	61%
Saturated Fat 16g	81%
Cholesterol 245mg	82%
Sodium 697mg	30%
Total Carbohydrate 14g	5%
Dietary Fiber 4g	13%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 18g
Vitamin C 24mg	118%
Calcium 211mg	16%
Iron 2mg	11%
Potassium 582mg	12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.