Mushroom, Asparagus and Potato Cake: Sformato di Funghi, Asparagi e Patate

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to grease the baking dish
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 bunches pencil thin asparagus, cut into 1/3's
• 1/2 cup reserved potato cooking water
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 pound pancetta ham, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
• 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
• 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 bunch fresh chopped mint leaves
• Hee Hee Garnish, recipe follows

Directions

Bring 6 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons salt and the potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup cooking water. Set aside.

In a medium saute pan, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Add the garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the garlic turns a light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the asparagus and the reserved potato water to the pan. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Return the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes.

Heat a saute pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta cubes and cook, over medium-low heat, until the fat from the meat is completely rendered, about 10 minutes. Once the pan has enough pancetta fat, add the cremini mushrooms and saute in the pancetta fat until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using a few tablespoons of olive oil, grease a 12-inch round baking pan with 3 to 4-inch sides. Coat the pan with the bread crumbs, shaking off any excess crumbs. Set the dish aside.

Pass the potatoes through a food mill into a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil, eggs, cheese, mint, and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Stir to combine well. Spoon 1/2 of the mashed potatoes into the prepared pan and, using a wooden spoon, smooth them evenly across the pan to form and even layer. Spoon the asparagus and then the mushrooms over the potatoes, using the spoon to smooth each into an even layer. Top the mushrooms with the remaining potatoes, using the spoon to spread them evenly. Bake until the edges are golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve either hot or at room temperature. Serve with Hee Hee Garnish.

Hee Hee Garnish:

4 crimini mushrooms, sliced paper thin

1/2 red onion, sliced paper thin

1 lemon, juiced

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Pinch chili flakes

Extra-virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients and spoon on top of potato cake.