Homemade mushroom pate is easy to make and you will be rewarded with great taste that store bought pates just dont have. This is a perfect starter for your dinner party and it is great for spreading on toasted baguette or crackers. It has a creamy texture from blended walnuts and flavor from garlicky mushrooms, rosemary and parsley and it only takes 20 minutes to prepare and few simply ingredients: mushrooms, walnuts, olive oil, leek, garlic and herbs. Mushrooms are quite often neglected and thought of as low-calorie and nutritionally insignificant. They are actually packed with phytonutrients that can be difficult to obtain from other foods. Button mushrooms are a good source of dietary fiber, protein, folate, iron, zinc, manganese, vitamin D, phosphorus, potassium, copper and selenium and a very good source of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6. Walnuts are loaded with protein, omega 3 fatty acid, vitamins B6 and lecithin. They are great food for the brain. Studies show that consumption of walnuts can improve memory, motor and behavioral skills. But if you want, you can substitute the walnuts with pistachios, almonds or even peanuts. The result will always be delicious and satisfying.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Yield: about 1 cup

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh button mushrooms, cleaned and finely sliced
cup chopped leek
1 garlic clove, minced
cup toasted walnuts
2 tbsp olive oil
tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
salt, pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large pan heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
Add the leek and garlic and cook for 5 minutes until light golden.
Add the mushrooms, increase heat to high and cook for 8 minutes.
Stir in lemon juice and set aside to cool.
Place in a blender the walnuts and 1 tbsp olive oil and blend until smooth.
Add the mushroom mixture, rosemary and parsley and blend until the texture is creamy.
Season to taste and serve with toasted bread.
Mushroom pate can be refrigerated for up to five days.