Chicken & Mushroom Crepes

These chicken and mushroom crepes are a fantastic summer recipe to serve for lunch or a fancy brunch. The best part about it is most of it can be made the day ahead, leaving just the bechamel sauce, assembly, and baking to the day of your event.

Béchamel sauce is a key ingredient in hundreds of recipes, from simple dishes like creamed peas to elegant cheese soufflés. At one time considered a sauce reserved for the well-do-to, Béchamel today is probably the most frequently made sauce in the Western world.

Also known as white sauce, Béchamel is an ‘ingredient’ sauce – a sauce made to use in another dish or as a foundation for a more complex sauce. It is composed of whole milk heated and thickened with a roux.

The popularity of Béchamel sauce has spread far and wide, and today there are many variations of this sauce found throughout the world.

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Chicken & Mushroom Crepes
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Course Lunch
Cuisine French
Servings
SERVINGS
Course Lunch
Cuisine French
Servings
SERVINGS
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
Chicken
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a rack & roast for 35-40 mins or until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside to cool. Then shred of meat with forks & transfer to a bowl. Set aside until ready to use. This can be done in advance.
Crepes
  1. Combine flour & salt together in a large bowl then add the milk slowly, whisking until combined. Add the beaten eggs, whisking until smooth. Then whisk in the melted butter & the dill.
  2. Heat a non-stick 12-inch skillet on medium-high heat. Grease the pan with a paper towel with canola or vegetable oil. Once hot pour 1 ladle full of batter into the pan & swirl the batter around until it covers the bottom of the pan. Allow to cook until set and edges start to turn golden brown.
  3. Slide a thin spatula under the crepe enough to grab hold of it & flip it quickly with your hands. Cook on the other side for 30 seconds more. Slide the crepe off the pan onto a cutting board. Repeat the process until all batter is used. Allow the crepes to cool while you prepare the filling.
Filling
  1. In a large skillet melt the butter, add the leeks & cook until they are soft & fragrant. Then add the mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper to taste & freshly chopped parsley. Transfer mixture to a bowl & set aside to cool.
Béchamel Sauce
  1. Melt the butter in a deep skillet. Once foamy add the flour, whisking together until a paste is formed. Slowly add the milk, whisking until combined. Simmer mixture until thickened, then add 1 minced garlic clove & season with salt & pepper to taste.
Assembly
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Place crepe over a small gratin dish, fill with 2 Tbsp of the mushroom mixture, top with ¼ cup of shredded chicken. Ladle 2 Tbsp of béchamel sauce on top. Roll crepe & drizzle more béchamel on top. Sprinkle with gruyere cheese & paprika.
  3. Bake for 10-12 mins. Then place under the broiler for another 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Avocado & Smoked Salmon Pizza

CELEBRATING CANADA DAY!

In Canada, July 1st marks the day for Canadians to show pride in their nations history, culture and achievements. From coast to coast the country’s birthday is marked with various events.

On July 1st, from coast to coast, the country’s birthday is highlighted with colorful parades, concerts, carnivals, festivals and firework displays.

Food and drink are almost as synonymous with Canada Day as the colors of red and white. More importantly this date celebrates the historical event in which Canada gained its independence from Great Britain in 1867.

Pizza is one of those foods that works for just about everyone. From meat eaters to vegetarians, kids, adults and everyone in between. Year-round, it’s the perfect entree for family or party events.

Although avocado on pizza may sound weird, to me it’s glorious. When you think about it, tomato or tomato sauce is a big part of pizza most of the time. Often guacamole is made with tomato, so that avocado flavor compliments pizza well.

Pizza is one of the easiest meals you can make at home. I most always prefer to make my own crust but nothing wrong with a purchased one or some naan or focaccia bread for the crust. Once that crust part has been taken care of, it’s really just a matter of topping the pie with all your favorite ingredients and waiting for it to come out of the oven.

It’s always interesting to me what develops when you ‘step out of the box’ so today our Canada Day meal is a smoked salmon & avocado pizza.

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Avocado & Smoked Salmon Pizza
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Servings
NAAN PIZZAS
Ingredients
Pizza Spread
Caramelized Red Onions
Pizza
Servings
NAAN PIZZAS
Ingredients
Pizza Spread
Caramelized Red Onions
Pizza
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
Pizza Spread
  1. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese with the dill & minced garlic. Mix well.
Caramelized Onion
  1. Heat oil in a skillet until hot. Add sliced onion & sprinkle with salt. Cook & stir about 15 minutes or until moisture is evaporated & onion is soft. Reduce heat; sprinkle with cider vinegar & brown sugar. Cook & stir until caramel brown in color. Remove from skillet & set aside.
Toppings
  1. Grate cheese. Flake smoked salmon. Peel avocado & remove pit. Slice in 1/8-inch slices.
Assembly/Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Drizzle garlic olive oil onto the Naan breads & spread with cream cheese mixture. Divide onion evenly between the 6 Naan breads. Top with 1/2 of the grated cheese. Evenly distribute the smoked salmon then top with remaining cheese.
  3. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until hot & bubbly.
  4. Remove from oven & divide avocado slices between the pizzas. Garnish with chopped sprigs of fresh dill & sprinkle with lemon pepper if you wish.
Recipe Notes
  • Alternately, you can omit the garlic olive oil & the cream cheese mixture & use bottled tartar sauce for the base of the pizzas. Brion & I really enjoyed this alternative.