I've always loved mushrooms especially when cooked in Garlic. The combination of the flavor and texture is amazing and they are a great compliment to many meats. I have also used them as a starter and find that they are a great beginning to a meal.

The good thing about the recipe is that it's very simple and adaptable. As long as you have mushrooms and butter then you have a starter. You can add your own herbs and spices to the recipe, or even remove the garlic if required.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

1 pounds of mushrooms (button are good, but you can use any)

One small onion. (chopped)

2 cloves of garlic (chopped)

1oz butter

pint of Guinness.

Salt and pepper

cup cream (optional)

cup Beef stock

Mustard (optional)

Flour (to thicken)

Cooking instructions

Clean and chop your mushrooms in slices

On low heat, melt the butter and fry the onions and garlic until they are soft.

Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute on low.

Add the beer and increase the heat to medium, cook until the volume is reduced by half.

Stirring constantly, add the cream and stock and cook on low

To thicken: mix the flour with water until smooth and slowly stir into mushrooms.

Add Mustard (I use French normally), but it's optional!

Serving Suggestions

I use this as a starter, adding it to toast, or simply having this with some crusty bread. It can be used as a great topper to a steak.