Porcini … little pigs of wonder

Welcome to this week’s Shared Kitchen offerings, especially if you have just signed up. Ilaria and I had an enjoyable chat to the lovely Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB on the Sunday Session. Francesca and I used to be buddies back in the day on TV1’s Breakfast show, and she’s still got that sparkle and energetic bubble I remember from then. But it wasn’t all ‘pat on the back’, ‘well done for the book award’ and all that – she did ask the curly question about what I thought about food bags (you can listen in here if you want to catch up). Sunday Session

This week I noticed a bag of porcini mushrooms in my pantry had a near-expiry date so it was an excuse to cook with one of my favourite ingredients. They will last a long time, but eventually shrivel up and turn very dark, so use them within their 2-year ‘Best-before-date’. Porcini

The chicken dish this week is something you can cook for mid-week, but if porcini are a bit beyond your budget, sneak in a dab of marmite or vegemite in place of them to give a savoury note to the dish, change out the white wine for red, and throw in a handful of thickly sliced brown button mushrooms. It’ll still taste delicious. Chicken with Porcini & Tomatoes

The perfect accompaniment is a soft pillow of fluffy potato mash. All the tips and tricks are posted below. Have a great week. Fluffy Potato Mash

Julie & Ilaria