Instructions: To prepare the parmesan tower: MELT the grated parmesan cheese in the oven or in a pan, until it is crystallised. Remove from the oven and roll it around a metal rod to obtain a barrel shape. This should be done while it is still hot.

To prepare the dressing: Put the orange juice in a pan and simmer over very low heat (this ensures that the juice does not lose it colour) until reduced by half. Remove, add balsamic vinegar and stir. Then add the oil in a steady trickle, whisking constantly, until emulsified. Season with pepper and salt.

Melt butter in a saucepan, add onions and saute over medium heat until translucent and glossy. Then add mushrooms, saute until the moisture evaporates. Sprinkle pepper and salt. Stir well. Remove from heat and adjust the seasoning. Divide into four portions.

To serve: Place the parmesan tower erect on a plate and fill it with mushrooms. Top with a lettuce leaf, spooning the dressing over the lettuce.

Basically, you need an assortment of mushrooms, preferably fresh - they can be any four varieties. If fresh mushrooms arent available (youll always get fresh button mushrooms), you can refresh mushrooms by washing them in running water until devoid of grit, draining and then reserving in lukewarm water.

NOTES : (Cheese tower with sauteed mushroom filling)

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.