Confit Foie Gras and Porcini Mushroom Pizza by Manon Santini

As the winter holidays approach, there’s nothing more French than foie gras and porcini mushrooms. Here, chef Manon Santini (@manon_santini) combines the earthy flavors of porcini mushrooms, with rich, gooey cheese and fresh herbs for a truly delectable pizza. 

This pizza uses a light, crispy dough, topped with Albufera sauce – a popular sauce in French cuisine, often paired with poultry – which is made of a port and cognac reduction, onions, shredded porcini, olive oil, butter, cream, chicken stock, and, of course, foie gras. 

The pizza is then topped with tasty roasted porcini mushrooms, herbs, stracciatella, foie gras confit (foie gras seared in duck fat) and garlic flowers. It is the perfect pie for celebrating with friends, family and fellow gourmands! 


Confit Foie Gras and Porcini Mushroom Pizza by Manon Santini

Note

When making your own dough, you’ll need to set aside 4 to 5 hours before cooking. Check out our Classic Pizza Dough recipe for tips and techniques. If you can’t find foie gras confit or don’t want to make it, regular foie gras will work just as well.

1. Cut the foie gras into ¾ to 1-inch thick (2 to 3mm)slices then,  use the round cookie cutter to cut out 8 circles (or more if you want extra foie).

Wrap the foie gras pieces in film wrap and cover with aluminum foil and set aside in a cool place, away from the light. 

Tip: Be sure to keep the foie gras trimmings for the Albufera sauce.


2. In a saucepan at medium heat, reduce the port wine and cognac for the Albufera sauce to a syrupy consistency, about 5 minutes.

Set aside.

3. Next, in a separate saucepan on medium heat, sweat the onions and shredded porcini stems in olive oil and butter, around 5 minutes or until golden in color.

Tip: Be sure to set aside the porcini caps for the filling.


4. Once the porcini have a nice golden color, add the cream and the chicken stock to the pan, and bring to a boil until it’s reduced by half –– this will intensify the flavor and thicken the sauce.

5. When the reduction is ready, remove the mixture from the stovetop and let cool.

 


6. Carefully pour the reduction into a mixer and add the port and cognac mix and foie gras trimmings, then blend until the mixture becomes fine.

7. Add salt and pepper to taste, then set aside in the fridge.

8. Score the porcini caps with the tip of a knife (this helps to ensure an even cook), then slice into quarters.


9. Fire up your oven to 625°F (330°C) – use an infrared thermometer to check the stone temperature.

10. Roast the porcini caps in a cast iron pan with a dash of olive oil for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown.

11. Once the desired color is reached, turn off the stove and add the garlic, thyme and butter and let cook for 1 minute – make sure the mushrooms remain crisp and not overcooked.

12. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.

13. Dust your workspace with durum wheat semolina and roll out your first pizza ball.

 


14. Spread half the Albufera sauce evenly on the dough, followed by half the pieces of mozzarella fior di late and half the grated parmesan.

 


15. Place your pizza on the peel, then launch and bake for 4 to 5 minutes,  turning the pizza every 20 seconds for an even cook.

 


16. Remove the pizza from the oven, then add half of the roasted porcini mushrooms, spinach leaves, stracciatella, foie gras circles and garlic flowers.

 


17. Finish the pizza off with a touch of fleur de sel, ground pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

 


18. Repeat the same process for the second pizza then slice, serve and enjoy! .

Repeat the same process for the second pizza then slice, serve and enjoy!