Giada's Mushroom Crostata

I found this recipe last night when I was on a hunt for something mushroom-y. YumSugar is a great website  - not only does it offer all kinds of articles about my fav topic - food - but also many different recipes. Giada's recipe for Crostata with Mushrooms and Pancetta looks heavenly. However, she asks for you to make your own pastry crust, and I decided a frozen puff pastry sheet is MUCH easier than trying to make dough when I don't own a large food processor (it was key in the dough making process). If you would like to make your own dough - click the link above for the recipe!

Crostata With Mushrooms and Pancetta

From Giada's Kitchen

Ingredients

For pastry crust:

1 sheet frozen puff pastry - thawed
Non-stick cooking spray

For mushroom filling:

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 ounces diced pancetta

2 shallots, minced

1 pound assorted mushrooms, such as cremini, shiitake, and button

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/3 cup (1 ounce) grated smoked mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup ( 1 ounce) grated fontina cheese

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions

1. For the crust: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet so it will fit in a 9-inch pie plate with extra dough hanging over the edge. Carefully place the pastry sheet into the pie plate that has been coated with non-stick spray.

2. For the mushroom filling: Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp and golden, about four minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked pancetta to a small bowl.

3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan. Add the shallots and cook for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until all of the moisture has evaporated, about 12 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cooked pancetta along with fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
5. Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F.

6. Stir the mozzarella and fontina into the cooled mushroom filling and spread in the center of the dough circle, leaving a 2-inch border.
7. Sprinkle the filling with Parmesan.

8. Fold the dough border up over the filling to form a crust. Brush the crust with beaten egg. Bake the crostata until the crust is golden about 25 minutes. Slice and serve.