Mushrooms au Poivre

Ingredients

For 4 servings

• •2 c. à soupe black peppercorns
• •2 lb mixed mushrooms (such as crimini, maitake, and/or king trumpet), halved, torn into 1" pieces if large
• •0.25 tasse plus 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; plus more for drizzling
• •2 c. à café Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
• •5 sprigs thyme
• •4 garlic cloves, smashed
• •8 c. à soupe unsalted butter, divided
• •1 large shallot, finely chopped
• •1.5 tasse cognac, dry sherry, brandy, or low-sodium vegetable broth
• •0.5 tasse heavy cream
• •1 c. à soupe soy sauce
• •0.5 c. à café balsamic vinegar
• •Freshly ground pepper
• •Thinly sliced chives (optional), mixed greens, fresh lemon juice, and country-style bread (for serving)

Method

1. 1.Place 2 Tbsp. black peppercorns on a cutting board or seal in a resealable plastic bag and coarsely crush with a large stainless-steel skillet or heavy pot. (Or, coarsely chop with a knife. They should be a lot coarser than what you would typically season with.)
2. 2.Toss 2 lb. mixed mushrooms, halved, torn into 1" pieces if large, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and 2 tsp. crushed peppercorns in a large bowl to combine.
3. 3.Heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a medium cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add half of mushrooms; top with a steak weight, small cast-iron skillet, or small heavy saucepan or pot. Cook until mushrooms release their juices and they are simmering, 5–7 minutes. Remove weight and cook until liquid is evaporated, about 3 minutes. Turn mushrooms over the best you can (you might have some broken pieces) and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate. Repeat process with remaining mushrooms.
4. 4.Return all mushrooms to pan and reserve plate. Add 5 sprigs thyme, 4 garlic cloves, smashed, and 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter to mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are deeply browned and garlic and thyme are fragrant, about 4 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to reserved plate with slotted spoon.
5. 5.Add 1 large shallot, finely chopped, and remaining crushed peppercorns to fat in pan; cook, stirring constantly, until shallot is softened, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat and carefully pour in 1½ cups cognac, dry sherry, brandy, or low-sodium vegetable broth. Return to heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add ½ cup heavy cream, 1 Tbsp. soy sauce, and ½ tsp. balsamic vinegar; cook until sauce is thick enough to lightly coat a spoon, about 3 minutes. Add remaining 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter; stir until melted and emulsified.
6. 6.Remove pan from heat; season sauce with more salt and freshly ground pepper if needed. (It should taste strongly of pepper.) Return mushrooms to pan; top with thinly sliced chives if desired.
7. 7.Place mixed greens in a large bowl. Lightly drizzle with oil and fresh lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Serve mushrooms with salad and country-style bread alongside.