Home » Appetizer » Thyme Scented Mushrooms (Αρωματικά-μανιτάρια-με-θυμάρι)

Thyme Scented Mushrooms (Αρωματικά-μανιτάρια-με-θυμάρι)


Greeks take pride in serving up quality appetizers/mezedes for their friends and relatives. Like most of you, we are in full festive season gear with friends dropping by and dropping in on friends.

One thing you’ll notice about the hospitality of the Greeks is that one never gets the sense of being rushed.

In good mood? Pull up a seat, let me whip up a couple of appetizers and let’s have a few drinks…let’s share your infectious good mood.

In the dumps? What better than to vent, discuss, analyze what’s got you down, what’s pissing you off.

Regardless of the situation…”mi casa, sou casa”…make yourself at home and never feel (or act) like a stranger in a Greek’s home.

Greeks love to talk. Greeks love to eat and often some kind of fuel is required. That is to say some alcohol! Greek wine is now thoroughly enjoyed at the Greek table but the Anise-flavoured Ouzo still gets fair use and regional homebrews of Raki, Tsipouro and Tsikoudia or in Cyprus, Zivania also fill up our glasses (and egos)!

I think many of us are over-thinking appetizers – making them too complicated. There’s nothing wrong with hosting a more formal dinner but let’s not get carried away and start prepping the type of appetizers one would find in a hotel.

Conversely, I cringe at the sight and taste of those processed, frozen & baked, “I’m too lazy to whip up a few appetizers for my guests” -type of commercial appetizer.

Instructions:
“Keep frozen until use, place on a baking sheet and pre-heat oven and bake for 15 minutes”

OR

“Set your microwave to high and cook for 5 minutes”

YIKES!

Here’s a simple rule to follow when making appetizers…offer a few, make’em simple, make them well.

Today we’re going to nibble on mushrooms. Mushrooms are a food item I’ve enjoyed since a child…always liked them – always will.

I recently ordered a new Greek cookbook from Dimitra Vergou titled “Mushrooms – From the Forest to the Kitchen.

Dimitra is from the northern Prefecture of Grevena and although mushrooms can be found all over Greece, Grevena is considered the “capital” of Greece’s mushroom industry.

As far as I know, this book is only available in Greek but if it sells well, perhaps an English edition will be published.

In the meantime, I patiently await the arrival of my new cookbook but in the meantime, allow me to share a simple, deliciois side dise and meze of mushrooms.

Remember…keep them simple but do it well!

Thyme Scented Mushrooms (Αρωματικά μανιτάρια με θυμάρι)

4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

3 bay leaves

1 Tbsp. good red wine vinegar

12 oz. of button mushrooms, halved
3 sprigs of fresh thyme
coarse sea salt to taste

1 Tbsp. of water (optional)

  1. In a small, heavy saucepan, combine half the olive oil, the ground pepper, bayleaves and half the vinegar and warm over very low heat.
  2. Now add the mushrooms, some salt and 2 sprigs of thyme and holding lid in place, shake the pan to swirl and coat all the mushrooms. Continue simmering the mushrooms in their own juices for about 10 minutes or until they just start changing colour.
  3. Stir occasionally and if too try, add some water into the mix.
  4. Add the remaining vinegar and olive oil and and set aside for another hour. Adjust seasoning with sea salt and serve with a sprig of thyme as a garnish and serve with some bread and a glass of Greek wine or my current fave…Tsipouro.
Share the love
Related

54 Responses

  1. I’m back here darling… for short… but savouring your appetizers ;D. Hey, I’m not Greek but love to talk, drink, have a chat with good friends and have some of these delicious mushrooms :D

    Taking the 16:00 o’clock plane to Canada for some Greek cuisine therapy! I needed it♥

  2. Those mushrooms are just jumping off of the page. I love to see a good, healthy appetizer that isn’t the typical thing.

    I’d like to hang out w/ the Greeks for a week or so. Sounds like a good time :)

  3. I agree. we over think appetizers. I would love a simole plate of thes flavorful mushrooms. Thats why I love the Medeterranian cultures mezzes, appetizers, etc. Simple, uncomplicated, and loads of flavor and wow.

  4. Those mushrooms look succulent Peter. I have have mushrooms with thyme before and it is a lovely combination.
    Your idea about doing a simple starter or nibbles and doing it well, is a good one.

  5. You’ve made me hungry again. Those mushrooms just pop off the page and they are certainly different than astandard appetizer.

  6. Wow – those mushrooms look incredible. And I think there must be some Greek in me somewhere because that talking, eating, drinking thing sounds perfect to me :-)

  7. Agreed … but I have to admit that I am one of those people that overthinks things. In the end, simple wins out, but it just doesn’t feel right if I don’t overthink, overplan and overextend! Can you say crazy …
    These mushrooms look great and I just bought two packs of button mushrooms yesterday that I will probably use this way int he next couple of days.

  8. Hi Peter – dropping by after a long absence to find you still making amazing looking things! LOVE mushrooms! We get fantastic chaterelles and even fresh porcini here – can’t wait to try this!

  9. Yeap, most of the time less is more. Alert all troops: ‘shroom craving kicking in! (And no, I haven’t had Greek wine this evening :) )

  10. Hey Peter,Do you have room for an Italian to stop by for some appetizers? I should warn you that we Italians like to talk with our hands … very animated! Your mushrooms look absolutely terrific, and would be devoured quickly in my home. Regarding appetizers, I’m investigating various olive recipes as one of my favorite appetizers are seasoned olives with crusty bread. I’m gravitating toward those spiced with fennel/anise seeds, garlic, and chilis. Do you have any olive recipes? YUM!

  11. This is almost exactly how I like to prepare mushroom appetizers. I love sauteeing mushrooms with fresh thyme. I like a little sherry in there too with some garlic. It’s the perfect topping for bruschetta or crostini.

    Greeks like to talk and like to eat? What do you know? It seems I’m part Greek? :-D

  12. You’re right about doing something simple and doing it well. I can never understand why anybody would want to buy a BOX of frozen appetizers to serve. It just doesn’t sit right with me.

    Mushrooms are one of my favourite appetizers and done like this, I’d gobble them up. Better make a lot of them.

  13. I love mushrooms too, they soak up all of the flavors. We won’t run out of things to talk about as long as you’re feeding me mushrooms and Greek wine.

  14. Enjoyed the story about holiday visits in Greek homes…and the mushrooms look luscious. BTW, what about that new feature on the blog with photos and links to past posts?! I’m jealous. Seriously, great idea and it looks way cool.

  15. What a great appetizer – the poor mushroom does not get near enough respect!! You Greeks know how to make a tummy happy – Love this

  16. This is a wonderful combination Peter…mezedes should be as yo explained a simple yet tasty affair…this one’s a great start.

  17. These are amazing and simple – the best sort of recipe. I love mushrooms, so I am very glad you have chosen to share this with us!

  18. You are right, a couple of appetizers, a few drinks (you found tsipouro??), talking and good mood, that’s what we like Peter:))
    So, I have to try mushrooms with thyme, with a tsipouro or ouzo of course:)

  19. This is so simple and nice! I love appetisers and mushrooms! Very good for the festive seasons when there are many heavy food around ! Your looks very attractive that I wish they were in front of me with a glass of white wine!

  20. I’ll bet these would tempt me even if I didn’t believe that the mushroom is God’s gift… fabulous, Peter.

    And I’m all about a few apps and some good conversation. We need to do more of that here in the states.

  21. i totally agree. And a few appetizers on the lighter side, such as these mushrooms, help avoid ruining appetites for dinner. My favorite appetizer to make is roasted red peppers. they are always a hit. I’ll have to add these mushrooms to my repertoire

  22. i totally agree. And a few appetizers on the lighter side, such as these mushrooms, help avoid ruining appetites for dinner. My favorite appetizer to make is roasted red peppers. they are always a hit. I’ll have to add these mushrooms to my repertoire

  23. i totally agree. And a few appetizers on the lighter side, such as these mushrooms, help avoid ruining appetites for dinner. My favorite appetizer to make is roasted red peppers. they are always a hit. I’ll have to add these mushrooms to my repertoire

  24. i totally agree. And a few appetizers on the lighter side, such as these mushrooms, help avoid ruining appetites for dinner. My favorite appetizer to make is roasted red peppers. they are always a hit. I’ll have to add these mushrooms to my repertoire

  25. i totally agree. And a few appetizers on the lighter side, such as these mushrooms, help avoid ruining appetites for dinner. My favorite appetizer to make is roasted red peppers. they are always a hit. I’ll have to add these mushrooms to my repertoire

  26. i totally agree. And a few appetizers on the lighter side, such as these mushrooms, help avoid ruining appetites for dinner. My favorite appetizer to make is roasted red peppers. they are always a hit. I’ll have to add these mushrooms to my repertoire

  27. i totally agree. And a few appetizers on the lighter side, such as these mushrooms, help avoid ruining appetites for dinner. My favorite appetizer to make is roasted red peppers. they are always a hit. I’ll have to add these mushrooms to my repertoire

  28. Great appetizer – thank you for such a warm welcome for apps and drinks – I pulled up my chair – where the hell is my wine?

  29. a nice, cheap and easy app! is it wrong, though, that i have a small weakness for those frozen puff-pastry filled appetizers? only when i’m drinking, of course.

  30. So true about the over thinking of appetizers! I like the idea of keeping it simple, keeping it good. These shrooms look delightful.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Cookbook

My latest!

While your daily tasks are different from that generation, you’re busy and one pot cooking is going to help you in the kitchen! Read book details. Barnes & Noble book purchases here.