
Champignons à la Grecque, or Greek style mushrooms is a delicious side dish that can be served warm with a menu. But is it best known as a cold spread on a toast. I made it the first time for the Sylvester menu. But I was so happy with the result that I made it again last week to share it with my readers.
You can buy it as a prepared spread at the local butcher or supermarket. But of course it is so much better when you make it yourself. And it is not difficult at all!
History and origin
In fact there is little documented on the history and origin of Champignons à la Grecque. At least I did not found much... Although the name indicates this might be a Greek specialty this does not seem the case. A Hoax, a historical error or fake history? Who knows...
The method "à la Grecque" seems to be used to preserve vegetables. Vegetables, in this case mushrooms, can be preserved for at least one week submerged in this sweet and sour sauce. In the original sauce "à la Grecque" no tomatoes were used at all. Most probably one cook experimented with tomato sauce and this new version became quite popular. Other vegetables that can be made à la Grecque are leek, spring onions (in both cases with the white and tender part) or silver onions.
For those who speak or understand Dutch, you can find more details on seniorennet.be. The author there could trace back the method to 1904, in the French "Repertoire de la cuisine".
I also found evidence on the French website Francevegetalienne. They are quite sure that the origin is not in Greece. Cautiously they claim that it could be a French creation, with its origin in Paris. To each his truth 😉
I combined my Champignons à la Grecque with parsley root puree. They combine perfectly together!
If you speak Dutch, you can find the Dutch version of this recipe on gerechtenweb.blog.







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