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!
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!
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.
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.”
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
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
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!
Equipment
- Large frying pan/skillet
- Cutting board
- Metal whisk
Storage
Best if eaten right away as an easy breakfast or a light lunch!
More North American Recipes
More Bread Recipes
Listen to Anela's Episode
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.”
Follow The Storied Recipe in Your Favorite Player
Recipe
Easy Mushroom Toast Recipe + 15 Topping Ideas!
Ingredients
Mushroom Toast with Creamy Gravy
- 2 pieces Sourdough or Country Bread sliced thick, buttered
- 8 oz Portobellos Sliced, or any mushrooms you have on hand
- One medium Garlic Clove
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Rosemary
- 1/4 cup Whole Milk *See Note 1
- 1/4 cup Low-sodium Chicken or Vegetable Stock *See Note 2
- 1 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Eggs (optional)
15 Mushroom Toast Toppings Ideas
- 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 or Creamy Dijonnaise Sauce
Instructions
Cue Up The Episode!
- Make sure to listen to Anela on The Storied Recipe Podcast, Food Is Political (But What Does That Mean?) while you make her Mushroom Toast recipe!
Make The Recipe
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and once the pan is warmed add the sliced mushrooms.
- Dry sauté the mushrooms so they release their liquid and soften, about 5 minutes.
- Once most of the mushroom liquid is evaporated add the thinly sliced garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and onion powder. Stir and sauté until the garlic softens, 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms. Slowly (going slowly prevents lumps) add milk and stock, whisking as you go. This will create a simple mushroom infused gravy.
- Turn heat to low for the mushroom mixture and pop your buttered bread on a griddle, in a skillet, or under a broiler. Toast until golden.
- Let the mushrooms and gravy thicken until your desired thickness. I prefer to have a thinner gravy to sop up later with bread but it’s personal preference. If you plan to top your toast with an egg this is the time to make the eggs. An over medium egg on top is my preference but any way you like will work.
- Assemble your toast: bread, gravy with mushrooms, and any optional toppings.
Notes
- Note 1: Swap this out for non-dairy milk such as creamy oat milk
- Note 2: If you don’t have low-sodium stock just reduce the amount of salt you put into the dish
- Make sure to listen to Anela on The Storied Recipe Podcast, Anela Malik “Food Is Political” (But What Does That Mean?) while you make her Mushroom Toast recipe!
Would love to hear from you!