Today is the perfect type of day to write a blog. In my room that has the computer, the blinds have been pulled up completely letting in the soft light of late October. Today is a rainy, windy and gray day and although I prefer to spend some time outside everyday, it is not especially enticing today. The leaves have now fallen and so the splashes of color that decorated the horizon is now a mere memory. It has been a little while since I wrote my blog last. The children had their fall break and all of the days were full of activity as we visited their grandparent’s a couple of hours away and had company visit us at the end of the week. And during that time our little one, almost not a baby anymore (although I still consider him one), learned to give little kisses.
The other week our family went on a mushroom picking trip with another family that we have been close friends with for years. The weather was quite warm and the kids thought it was almost like a treasure hunt. We only had a few hours and after scavenging one area of the forest, our Erik asked why were were quitting so early. Once you find one yellowfoot or funnel chanterelle, usually there is a cluster of them and the picking is quick if the spot is good.
We came home with about ten liters. Yesterday I read in the newspaper that even after our cold spell last week with freezing temperatures, the experts are saying that yellowfoot could still be picked since the warm and wet weather returned. So we will have to see if we make it into the woods once again before the snow falls.
I think the best way to store the mushrooms is by sautéeing them for a bit in a little butter and then vacuum packing them for the freezer. Most of the mushrooms we ate fresh and made a sauce for our Sunday dinner but some I saved for mushroom tarts this past weekend. This would be the perfect holiday fare and could be made with other mushrooms as well.
Mushroom tart with leek suppilovahvero piirakka
makes one large tart about 25 cm/ 9 inches or two smaller tarts
one portion of pie crust (recipe by Weiland and Tierney)
3 dl/1 and 1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
115 g/4 oz unsalted cold butter cut into cubes
1 and 1/2 tbsp cold lemon juice
2-3 tbsp ice cold water
Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. I like to use my kitchenaid for this with the paddle attachment. Add the cold lemon juice and water and work the dough until it forms a ball. Allow to rest in the refrigerator while preparing the filling. This pie crust freezes very well and can be prepared well in advance.
Filling
230 g/8 oz sauteed mushrooms
1/4 of a leek, finely chopped
240 g/8.5 oz sour cream
2 eggs
65 g/2.3 oz sharp cheese of your choice, grated (I used a mature Präst cheese)
salt
black pepper
oregano
marjoram
Sauté the cleaned and roughly chopped mushrooms and leeks until the liquid begins to evaporate. Add salt, pepper, oregano and marjoram and check for flavor. Remove from the heat. In another bowl, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, Präst cheese, salt and black pepper. Set aside for a few minutes.
Roll out the pie crust and place into the tart pan or pans. Prick the bottom with a fork. Add the mushrooms and leeks to the sour cream mixture and stir until combined. Pour into the tart pan and bake in the oven at 175 C/350 F for about 15 minutes if making two smaller tarts and 20-25 minutes for a larger tart. Allow to cool a bit before serving with a salad.
The little one has a mind of his own. He has been taking steps for almost two months now when we encourage him, sometimes even twenty at a time, but he has not still decided that he is ready to walk. He thinks walking on his knees is the way to go.
tableofcolors 
Wow. Incredible looking tart, i want to try that! And a mushroom picking session would feel a bit like a treasure hunt for me, too 🙂
Thank you Karinna. We really enjoyed the outing and to me it felt like a treasure hunt since I am still very much a beginner. My husband is the pro in our family when it comes to picking mushrooms. 🙂
Beautiful…the children, the mysterious forest,,,and we would like a taste of that mushroom tart:) Love it!
Thank you Gramma. Hugs to you ❤
I feel like going on a treasure hunt after reading your story. It’s been so hot and humid here in Sydney, you have me day dreaming about misty, cold weather and beanies and mushroom picking. Thank you.
How cold does your fall and winter get in Australia? I wouldn’t having a week or two of hot and humid…perhaps we should trade 😉
An evocative post, encapsulating all the good things about autumn. Such beautiful children. And that cute baby again- not for long!
So true, they are little for such a short time. Thank you Francesca for your lovely compliment.
I would bet this tart is absolutely wonderful 🙂 The first picture is beautiful!
Isn’t he a sweetheart ❤ I hope you have a chance to try the tart out with any mushrooms you might find. Thanks for stopping by.
How great that this is an activity the entire family can enjoy. I don’t know if there is anywhere around here where we could gather such quantities of mushrooms; we are so reliant on the commercially produced kind. Kisses for the little one. 🙂
I sometimes use the commercially produced kind and they would work fine as well. The mushrooms is one of the benefits of living in the countryside. Passed your kisses to the little one. 🙂
Gorgeous photos and children. And the quiches are beautiful!!!
Thank you Mimi…we were thinking that the mushroom tart would be perfect at Christmas as a midnight snack while playing a favorite board game.
Wow! Disney Land can’t compare. Right there at your door. Kisses to Hugo from Gramma &Grampa, the eyes and the grin were captured so beautifully. We do not hunt mushrooms since we left the lake, except at the supermarket but I can just about smell them being sautéed. Delish! The tart looks almost as beautiful as the kiddos.
Love, Grampa
Yes, we are lucky to have forests straight from the story books so close by. You can almost imagine Goldilocks making her way to the house of the three bears. I gave Hugo many kisses from you…he is such a happy little fellow. Lots of love and hugs your way, Laila
I love your posts because all you do with your family is so natural. You bring me back to my young years. We had a lot of similar activities and enjoyed our family life.
Thank you.
Sounds like you had a beautiful childhood. I too, hope that our children will have many happy memories. Glad you enjoyed the post.
If you live in a happy family where Love is a priority you are lucky. In that situation you are happy and your life is wonderful.
My wife and me made a huge efforts to make our children’s life happy too. It seems to me we succeeded.
What a warming and delicious mushroom tart! And there is something magical and mysterious about this forest, I love your closeness with your family 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you Uru. I think you won’t be disappointed if you give the tart a try 🙂
What a great adventure and the pictures are beautiful! I love mushrooms and the tart looks delicious and I will try out this recipe! Warmly, Bridget
Hi Bridget. I hope you have a chance to try out the recipe. The mushroom tart would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Stunning photos of your beautiful children. I love reading about the wonderful life and food you provide for them.
Thank you Juli, I really appreciate it.
Adorable kids 🙂
Thank you Catalina 🙂
What a lovely day with your family…hopefully, you will get another chance to pick before the snow covers the ground. Love your mushroom tart.
The weather has been quite warm (+8 C) wet and rainy…so if it doesn’t freeze up quite yet we might be able to find some mushrooms. Thanks for stopping by Karen.
The tarts look fantastic and I loved reading about your mushroom hunting adventure but, to be honest, your children stole the show. They are adorable. The rest of your post didn’t stand a chance. 🙂
🙂 We I do have to agree that they are adorable cherubs (not that I would be biased in anyway 😉 ) and I suppose a mushroom tart would pale in comparison.
What a gorgeous gorgeous post – all of it – your family – the sunlight on the bare woods – and the stunningly glorious mushroom tart. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
Thank you so much Lindy for your lovely compliment, so appreciate it!
What delicious photos….glorious.
That moss green outfit of the little one complementing the grass and moss.
Then there is the shot of one of the girls climbing a branch and it took my mind straight back to a photo of myself as a little girl in the Black Forest in Germany.
Thank you for your creativity . Refreshing and wholesome.
Alexa Blogging from Sydney, Australia
Alexa-asimplelife
Beautiful photos as always. I adore the one of your little man sitting by himself looking to the rest of the family – that’s one to print out for the wall. What a lovely time as a family “treasure hunting” in the forest. I wish we could get fresh mushrooms here as that mushroom tart looks and sounds amazing.