This Romanian Creamy Garlic-Dill Mushroom Spread is a recipe made with canned mushrooms, dill, garlic and mayo. Perfect as appetizer, this dish can be served at any party all year round, but it is especially good during the holidays.
This recipe is part of my collection of appetizers that you might like to check out. If you like this recipe, you might also like this Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip, my Mini Peppers Stuffed With Farmer Cheese or this Pineapple Pecans Cheese Ball Appetizer. All great recipes for entertaining!
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What Is This Mushroom Spread
This Garlic-Dill Mushroom Spread is a classic Romanian dish we often see at New Year's Eve parties or during the holiday season. I remember having this spread a lot when I was a kid, but for some reason, it slipped my mind for a while. I can't figure out why, because it's not just super tasty, but also really easy to make.
It was and still is a traditional recipe that most families in Romania like to have for this event. Most New Year's Eve parties serve appetizers and finger foods that are easy to grab. My favorite way to serve food for New Year's Eve was always buffet style.
Ingredients Needed
- Mushrooms: They bring a wonderful earthy flavor and a satisfying, meaty texture. You can use canned mushrooms for convenience, or fresh ones for a more robust flavor. Champignons or portobello work well for the recipe. However, if you want to use fresh mushrooms, simmer them in salty water for 5-10 minutes until soft, then drain them really well and use them.
- Mayonnaise: This adds creaminess to the salad. If you're not a mayo fan, you can replace it with Greek yogurt or a vegan mayo for a healthier twist. Also, use sour cream or a mix of sour cream and mayo.
- Garlic: Garlic adds a punch of flavor that complements the mushrooms beautifully. If you're not a garlic lover, you can use chopped green onions or red onions for a milder flavor.
- Dill: Dill brings a fresh, slightly tangy flavor to the salad. You can also use dried dill, as this is a winter recipe and you might not have access to fresh one. If dill isn't your thing, you can replace it with other herbs like parsley, chives, or even a bit of tarragon.
Secret: I also preserve dill and other herbs in salt for the winter, as I like to have them available when it is too cold outside to go to the grocery store.
Expert Tip:
When using canned mushrooms, make sure to drain all the liquid and squeeze out the excess moisture. This will ensure your salad isn't too watery and maintains its rich, creamy texture.
How To Make The Mushroom Spread
First, chop the mushrooms, and crush the garlic or mince it. Just place all the ingredients together in a bowl and combine them. Decorate with fresh dill leaves or parsley and serve cold.
How To Serve
Serve this recipe on thinly sliced baguette or fresh baked bread, or just place the bowl on the table and allow your guests to help themselves.
If you are looking to cut on the calories or carbs, serve the salad on slices of red bell pepper.
How To Store This Spread
This spread should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
Recipe faqs
Absolutely! Just remember to boil them in salty water until they're soft.
Yes, you can replace half the mayo with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangier taste.
Yes, you can prepare this salad a day in advance. It allows the flavors to get friendly with each other. Make sure to store it in the fridge in an airtight container.
I wouldn't recommend freezing this dish because mayo tends to separate when frozen and thawed, which can affect the texture of the spread.
Yes, you can make a vegan version of this salad by using vegan mayo.
New Year's Eve Recipe Ideas
📖 Recipe
Romanian Creamy Garlic-Dill Mushroom Spread (New Year’s Eve Appetizer)
Ingredients
- 2 cans of mushrooms 13.24oz each
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 teaspoon fresh or dried dill
Instructions
- Open the cans of mushrooms and drain all the liquid. Squeeze the mushrooms to remove the excess moisture.
- Chop and place the mushrooms into a medium bowl.
- Add crushed garlic, dill and mayo.
- Gently combine all ingredients together.
- Serve cold on slices of fresh baguette or other fresh bread.
Notes
- If you use fresh mushrooms, place 1 pound mushrooms in salty water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until mushrooms are soft. Remove, drain and use in the salad.
- Instead of dill, you can use parsley.
- Instead of garlic, use chopped green onion or red onion .
- Also, in case you prefer salads with less mayo, you can replace half amount of mayo with sour cream.
Nutrition
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Eduard Dumitru says
I'm Romanian and I've never heard of this recipe, nor have I ever seen it at Romanian New Year's Eve parties.
The Bossy Kitchen says
Well, that doesn't mean the recipe is not popular. I am Romanian too, grew up with it, and ate it numerous times at many New Year's Eve parties or other celebrations as an appetizer. A simple search on Google for Ciuperci cu usturoi si maioneza would give you plenty of versions of this recipe, from blogs to videos.