Wild Mushrooms And Lardo On Rye Recipe – Savory Italian Toast with Fontina and Aromatic Thyme

Wild Mushrooms And Lardo On Rye Recipe

This Wild Mushrooms and Lardo on Rye recipe brings together earthy mushrooms, creamy Fontina cheese, and delicate Italian lardo for a decadent and comforting dish. Michael Bonacini showcases how simple, high-quality ingredients can be transformed into an elegant appetizer or light dinner, perfect for entertaining or elevating a weeknight meal. With the combination of sautéed mushrooms, fresh herbs, and melted cheese atop crisp rye toast, this recipe delivers a bold and savory Italian flavor experience that’s easy to recreate at home.

The Inspiration

The inspiration for this dish comes from the northern Italian culinary tradition, particularly the Valle d’Aosta region, where lardo—a delicately cured pork fat—is a prized ingredient. Combining lardo with wild mushrooms and rye bread creates a rustic yet sophisticated flavor profile that is both earthy and indulgent. Michael Bonacini emphasizes this approach on Bonacini’s Italy, blending simplicity with elegance to celebrate Italy’s love for fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The recipe transforms humble rye toast into a gourmet experience, highlighting the region’s affinity for layering flavors, textures, and aromas. This dish perfectly reflects Michael’s style of approachable Italian cuisine that feels elevated but is easy for home cooks to replicate.

The use of wild mushrooms—porcini, chanterelle, morel, or boletus—provides an earthy, umami-packed base. The addition of fresh thyme and shallots enhances the depth of flavor, while a splash of dry white wine and creamy Fontina cheese adds richness and balance. Lardo adds a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth indulgence that contrasts beautifully with the crisp toast, making each bite both complex and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (454 g) mixed wild mushrooms: porcini, chanterelle, morel, boletus, etc. (substitute with any selection of cultivated and/or wild mushrooms)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil, divided
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) finely chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper
• ½ cup (120 ml) dry white wine
• 1 cup (240 ml) whipping cream
• 4 slices of rye bread
• 2 cups (470 ml) grated fontina cheese
• 4 ounces (113 g) Italian lardo (from Valle d’Aosta, if possible), cut into thin strips
• Italian parsley, finely chopped , for garnish

Method

• Clean mushrooms with damp cloth, trim woody ends of stems, and cut into thick slices.
• Heat butter and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add mushrooms in a single layer, making sure the skillet is not overcrowded.
• Leave mushrooms to cook without disturbing for 3-5 minutes or until bottoms are browned.
• Flip mushrooms and add shallots, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper to skillet and cook for another 7-10 minutes, flipping one more time.
• Once the moisture has evaporated, add dry white wine to skillet and reduce by at least half.
• Add heavy cream and continue cooking, stirring periodically.
• Meanwhile, prepare the toast; preheat a broiler and drizzle the bread slices  with remaining olive oil.
• Broil 1 side of bread 1-2 minutes, until golden.
• Out of the broiler, flip the toast and divide the grated fontina onto the slices.
• Return to broiler and continue toasting 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
• To serve, transfer toast to serving plates, cheese side up, and top each piece with sautéed mushrooms and paper-thin slices of lardo.
• Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
• Buon appetito!

Serving Suggestions

Wild Mushrooms and Lardo on Rye is perfect as an appetizer, light lunch, or even a sophisticated snack. Pair with a crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Vermentino, to complement the earthy mushrooms and creamy cheese. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside a fresh green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables. These crostoni can also be prepared for a dinner party, presented on a platter for guests to enjoy as an elegant finger food. Their rustic yet refined flavor profile makes them ideal for entertaining, brunch gatherings, or holiday-inspired meals, offering both visual appeal and gourmet taste.

For extra indulgence, drizzle a small amount of high-quality extra virgin olive oil over the mushrooms before serving, enhancing the aromatic richness and adding a glossy finish. The combination of textures—the crisp rye, creamy cheese, tender mushrooms, and melt-in-your-mouth lardo—makes this dish a standout, ensuring every bite is layered with flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Wild Mushrooms and Lardo on Rye recipe is a celebration of Italian flavors, combining earthy mushrooms, creamy Fontina cheese, and delicate lardo on a rustic rye base. Michael Bonacini’s approach highlights simplicity and elegance, allowing high-quality ingredients to shine while making the recipe achievable for home cooks. The balance of textures and flavors—from the crisp toast to the creamy mushrooms and salty lardo—creates a dish that is indulgent, satisfying, and visually impressive.

Whether served as an appetizer for a dinner party, a luxurious brunch item, or a comforting weeknight treat, these crostoni deliver a bold, Italian-inspired flavor experience. They are a versatile dish that can be customized with seasonal mushrooms or alternative cheeses while maintaining their signature richness and elegance.