Food52
While I was studying at Le Cordon Bleu in London (too many years ago now to admit), I lived in a flat near Hammersmith with two charming Brits, both named William. Will #1 and I have connections that run deep: our grandparents were friends, as are our parents, and now the two of us. While both Williams were equally happy to devour the results of my daily practicals at Le Cordon Bleu, Will #1 shared my interest in cooking and would occasionally make supper for the three of us, much to my delight. His meals typically consisted of simpler fare, like fat, juicy sausages roasted right in the pan with root vegetables, but every once in while he’d whip up his piece de resistance: Portobello mushroom caps topped with a rich, savory mixture of cream cheese, herbs, caramelized shallots and bacon, and then roasted. I can’t remember where he got his inspiration, but it doesn’t really matter. In my house, as well as in my parents’ (for whom he made these seductive mushrooms on a visit to the U.S. a few years ago), they’re simply called “Will’s Mushrooms.” The following recipe is my best effort at replicating Will's mushrooms. They're easy to make, but quite rich. You’ll want to serve one in place of a piece of meat or fish, perhaps accompanied by a green salad and a glass of wine.