Thursday, October 8, 2009

Swiss Rarebit


I have discovered a new cookbook love, The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest. I now see that my life was incomplete without it! I took it out of the library, after reading Ricki talk about it and I was hooked and had to buy it. Vegetable-flecked bread? Curried sweet potato pie with coconut crust? Savory apple casserole? I could go on and on. I think I'm seriously going to make every single recipe in this cookbook. I own a lot of vegetarian cookbooks, and it is so incredibly rare that you come across a gem like this. Every recipe sounds so good, uses ingredients that aren't hard to get, and there's so much variety. This cookbook was originally published in 1982 and I guess I'm surprised at how innovative and interesting the recipes are. I think I assume that after all these years people would've come up with more interesting stuff, but that's definitely not true. This book is where it's at. I just can't believe I've gone this long without having it! I'm sure many of you already have it but for me it's an exciting new discovery (as I'm sure you can tell). I've already made 4 or 5 things from it and this is just the beginning. I don't think it can replace Rebar as my favourite vegetarian (and all around cookbook) but it might come out as a tie.

Today I'm sharing with you this delicious Swiss rarebit, which wasn't the first thing I made from this cookbook but seemed like a good thing to share right now while we're all looking for warm comforting meals. I've always wanted to make rarebit and now I want to try out other versions like with mustard and beer. This rarebit is made with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, white wine, tarragon and green onions - a wonderful combination. It makes enough to top 4 thick slices of pumpernickel (which I made using a recipe from this cookbook and it was awesome - to be posted soon), and we made the mistake of each eating two for our meal. It was super tasty and basically like a cheese/wine/mushroom fondue on toast (who can say no to that), but if you eat two slices like we did, you will feel really gross afterwards. Next time I'll just eat one piece with a big salad.

Wow I'm feeling quite verbose tonight. You'd think I'd be inspired to finish my essay right now when I'm in a mood like this, but no.

If this sounds good, you might also like:
Feta and Ricotta Cheese Pie
Cauliflower Gratin
Cheddar Ale Dip

Swiss Rarebit
Adapted from The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest

The only thing I changed was to use half the amount of oil (and using oil not butter).

Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil
3/4 lb mushrooms, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp unbleached white flour
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1/2 tsp dried tarragon
5 medium sized green onions, minced
up to 1 cup grated Swiss cheese (1/4 lb)
thick slices of toasted pumpernickel
freshly grated nutmeg & ground black pepper, to taste

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet or medium-large saucepan. Add the mushrooms and salt, and cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently.

2. Gradually sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for about 1 minute, then stir in the wine and tarragon. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.

3. Shortly before serving, stir in the green onions and cheese. Keep cooking over low heat, stirring, until the cheese is completely melted.

4. To serve, place 4 generous slices of pumpernickel toast on 4 separate plates or in shallow soup bowls. Spoon the rarebit over the top, grind on some fresh nutmeg and black pepper, and it's ready to eat.

16 comments:

greenlady said...

the enchanted broccolli forest is actually the 'sequel' the the moosewood cookbook - just as good, if not better. the brown rice casserole is to die for! you should try and get ahold :)

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I've bought this cookbook, years ago, and will always keep it. I love the recipes and all the drawings in it. I know how you feel when you say you want to make every recipes in it.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Oh man, and just when I'd convinced myself that I didn't need this one on top of my other 100 vegetarian cookbooks 8p. This recipe sounds like awesome comfort food (which I could really use right now). I'm also stopping by to let you know that I left an award for you on my site.

Johanna GGG said...

yum - looks like fondu on toast - I must try that - I have a welsh rarebit recipe with leeks that I love - on my blog - highly recommend it - and I am so glad you have discovered the enchanted broccoli forest - one of my first vego cookbook loves and I still love to go back to it

Cakespy said...

This looks perfect for the quickly approaching Seattle rainy season...

Ricki said...

This sounds breathtakingly fantastic! As you know, I adore Mollie Katzen. So glad you like the book--and can't wait to see what else you whip up! Now I must go and salivate. . . ;)

Clare and Gary said...

MMMMM looks yummy....I'm going to try this one out on hubbie...he'll ask where the meat is and I'll tell him I've hidden it in the sauce ;-)

Carey said...

This was the first vegetarian cookbook I ever bought, and it's still one of my favorites. The recipes are interesting and awesome, and I love the lettering and illustrations. My faves are the twice-baked potatoes (one of my go-to foods) and the Frfijoles, Etc Casserole - warm, cheesy goodness perfect for fall and winter!

test it comm said...

I really like this version of a rarebit! You can't go wrong adding mushrooms.

Dorothy said...

the enchanted broccoli forest?! what a cute name! must find a copy of that book, bc this looks amazing!

Rita said...

looks great! I'd heard of rarebit before, but I never knew what it was until just now.

Steph said...

I'm so jealous of your cookbook collection!! You have everything! This pretty interesting. I've never tried something like this before. I know what you mean about the essay. I find myself going through tastespotting and foodgawker most often when I have assignments or tests to study for.

Dana said...

I have that cookbook somewhere and you are making me want to go find it! I remember really liking the recipes both in this one and the Moosewood cookbook when I first went veg.

kickpleat said...

i love that cookbook too and i've never tried this recipe before, but it looks so comforting!

Dana said...

I've had this cookbook for years and love it! So many good recipes. It was one of my first cookbooks I bought when I became vegetarian. Haven't made this one yet, but it sounds and looks delicious.

For My Love of Food said...

I'm not a vegetarian because I do like my meat but I eat it as more of a treat. I love anything with vegetables in it and this looks absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try this.