Ingredients:
- 24 oz cremini mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
- 2 cloves garlic, microplaned
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 0.5 tsp cracked black pepper
- 0.5 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 0.25 cup dry white wine
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions:
- Prepare the environment. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place a wide cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Note: A hot skillet is non negotiable for the dry sear.
- Searing the mushrooms. Add the quartered cremini mushrooms to the dry pan in a single layer. Sear undisturbed for 3–5 minutes until moisture evaporates and they reach a deep mahogany color.
- Seasoning the base. Stir in the microplaned garlic, fresh thyme leaves, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Note: Adding salt now helps draw out the final bit of moisture.
- Whisking the binder. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, dry white wine, and Dijon mustard until the mixture is completely smooth and streak free.
- Incorporating the cheese. Stir in 0.5 cup of the shredded cheddar and 0.25 cup of the grated Parmesan into the yogurt mixture.
- Combining the elements. Fold the seared mushrooms into the yogurt mixture until every piece is well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Transferring to bake. Pour the mixture into a 2 quart baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
- Creating the topping. In a small bowl, toss the Panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, smoked paprika, and the remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
- Finishing the assembly. Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mushrooms until no large gaps of sauce are visible.
- The final bake. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling aggressively at the edges.