Welcome to The Storied Recipe Podcast, a podcast about food, culture, and love.

This recipe for Garlic Mushroom Toast came from my podcast guest, Anela Malik. Make sure you listen to her episode Food is Political (But What Does That Mean?) while you make her Mushroom Toast!

Half eaten mushroom toast that is topped with pumpkin seeds, green onions, feta cheese and sesame seeds

Anela's Creamy Garlic Mushroom Toast was inspired by the frugal, creative dishes her father sourced from their large garden in Vermont.

Nothing went to waste in his kitchen. As a result, Anela embraces simple foods with layered flavors, fresh herbs, and a variety of textures.

Creamy gravy, dry sauteed mushrooms, and crispy toast is already a perfect marriage of textures. But once topped with roughly shredded cheese, seeds, and greens, this 5-minute dish is nothing short of perfection. Enjoy!!!

P.S. If you are looking for a simple soup to add to your easy meal, try this 5 Ingredient Hungarian Dairy-Free Potato Soup recipe provided by my podcast guest, Dora Hurley.

Top Tip

Anela's recipe is focused on the mushroom gravy technique and choosing toppings...

But don't forget about the toast!!!! Right before serving, heavily butter your bread and pop it on a griddle, skillet, or under the broiler, until it turns a gorgeous golden color!

side by side images of mushrooms on an earthy backdrop

What Type of Mushroom Should I Use?

This is definitely a meal for a mushroom lover. So you might already have a good idea of the right mushroom for your toast.

However, if not, I've tried to list a variety of mushrooms organized by flavor, texture, and recommended use. This is a condensed version of a guide from R&R Cultivation, which you can consult for more ideas.

Shiitake Mushrooms

Taste: Umami, earthy mushrooms
Texture: Meaty
Goes well in stir-frys and soups

Oyster Mushrooms

Flavor: Light, slightly sweet
Texture: Tender
Goes well with pasta dishes

Lion's Mane

Flavor: Seafood-like
Texture: Firm, yet delicate (like lobster meat)
Can replace seafood in dishes

Beech Mushrooms

Flavor: Nutty
Texture: Crisp
Goes well in a quick sauté

Chestnut Mushrooms

Flavor: Earthy and hearty
Texture: Hearty
Goes well in hearty stews and roasts

Common grocery store mushrooms

White button mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms/baby bella - a slightly matured version of white button mushrooms (The Spruce Eats)
Baby portobellos or portobellos

A different way to prepare your mushrooms

If you aren't a big fan of gravy, you could sauté your mushrooms with white wine and a little butter, just make sure to get rid of too much liquid so your toast doesn't become soggy

Anela's Memories of Making Mushroom Toast

In our house we rarely use recipes. Since my childhood, cooking has always leaned towards simple but creative preparations of whatever was left in the fridge. My family has tried our best not to waste ANY of the food we buy. This means we have to get really creative with the random scraps at the end of the week.

One of the ways we do so is through toasts. It's a great way to use up odds and ends and to have a hearty meal with few ingredients. Though this savory toast is not a recipe from my childhood, it is one I associate with my family's recipes. Our food at home was so often improvised, utilized a variety of herbs and fresh vegetables, was very simple, and drew on many influences.

-Anela

Listen to Anela's Episode Now

Anela discusses her dad's resourcefulness, experiences in the Middle East that led her to start a food blog, and the statement: “Food is political.”

moody and contrasty image of mushrooms, sourdough loaf, and garden herbs

Ingredients & Substitutions

Sourdough bread - this can be made with any sturdy bread. If you are using gluten-free bread, make sure it is strong enough to hold all of your toppings
Portobellos
Garlic cloves
Onion powder
Sea salt
Black pepper
Fresh rosemary
Whole milk - swap this out for non-dairy milk such as creamy oat milk
Chicken or vegetable stock
All-purpose flour
Eggs

arrangement of mushroom toast covered in textures

15 Toppings Ideas

Anisa called this Maximalist Mushroom Toast 🙂 The best part of this recipe because it is totally customizable to your preferences. When choosing your toppings, embrace Anela's belief that more is more!

Fried egg
Microgreens or Arugula
Grated Parmesan cheese or other hard cheese
Goat cheese, Cotija cheese, Feta, Blue Cheese, or other soft cheese
Spreadable cheese - like this Pimento Cheese recipe from my podcast guest Brenda Wyatt
Hemp seeds or flax seeds
Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
Hot sauce or soy sauce
Balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Chili flakes or Red pepper flakes
Vegan cheese or Vegan cream cheese
A variety of herbs of your choice, including fresh thyme, basil, dill, or parsley
Everything Bagel topping (probably my favorite!!)
Green/spring onions, red onion slivers, or caramelized onions
Chipotle-Mayo sauce, Creamy Dijonnaise sauce

composition of mushrooms, bread, herbs, and flowers

Instructions

Pan-fry mushrooms in a large skillet over medium heat.
Dry sauté the mushrooms so they release their liquid and soften.
Once most of the mushroom liquid evaporates, add the seasoning.
Stir and sauté until the garlic softens.
Add the milk and stock to the pan, then make room in the center.
Add the flour to the center of the pan and whisk to become a simple mushroom-infused gravy.
After incorporated, stir normally and push the mushrooms from the edge of the pan into the center.
Turn the heat to low and pop your bread slices in the toaster to warm.
Let the mushrooms and gravy thicken to your personal preference.
If you plan to top your toast with an egg this is the time to make the eggs.
Assemble your slices of bread with Anela's topping suggestions or add your favorite toppings and enjoy!