Savory Mushroom Gruyere Puff Pastry Braid

The pressure builds and you start counting down minutes until you eat.

When you pop that float valve up and the valve hiss begins, you know the fun's about to start. You watch the seconds tick down slow and steady, waiting for that moment you can release the pressure.

You sense that anticipation deep in your bones as the steam escapes during slow release. The aroma of mushrooms and brie starts creeping into your nose, making you even more excited. It works real good to have all the flavors meld so quick in the pressure cooker, tightening up the whole dish and giving you a tender pull on each bite. You just gotta wait a little bit longer but it's totally worth it.

Why This Recipe Works Every Single Time

• Using the pressure cooker cooks mushrooms tender fast, locking in juicy flavor.
• The brie melts perfectly, adding creamy richness to the strudel.
• Puff pastry bakes up golden and flaky after you finish in the oven.
• The mix of portabello, crimini, and shiitake gives you a nice depth of mushroom taste.
• Fresh thyme spices things up without overpowering the natural flavors.
• The egg white brush makes the crust look all shiny and appetizing.

Your Simple Ingredient Checklist

• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided - gotta keep the mushrooms from sticking and add some flavor.
• 1 large shallot, minced - this sweetness lifts the whole dish.
• 4 ounces portabello mushrooms, thinly sliced - you want those meaty bites.
• 4 ounces crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced - adds earthiness.
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced - a little woody touch that's nice.
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste - balances everything out.
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste - a bit of heat and depth.
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped - gives it that fresh herb vibe.
• 1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted - this turns into your flaky golden blanket.



• 3 ½ ounces Brie cheese, thinly sliced - melts like a dream with those mushrooms.
• 1 egg white, lightly whisked - brush it on to score a pretty brown finish.

Your Complete Cooking Timeline

1. Get your oven preheating to 400°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Gotta have this ready since you'll bake the strudel after the pressure cooker work.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a big skillet over medium. Toss in the minced shallot and cook about 2-3 minutes till translucent and soft. You sense that sweet aroma kickin' in early.
3. Add the rest of olive oil and all those sliced mushrooms to the pan. Stir occasionally so they cook even and lose moisture, getting tender over 8-10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme while still warm, then take off the heat.
4. Roll out the puff pastry on some floured surface till it's nice and flat. Spoon your mushroom mix right down the center and top it with your brie slices. You're building flavor layers here.
5. Cut slits on both sides of the pastry then fold the edges over the filling in a braided pattern, alternating sides so it looks pretty and holds tight.
6. Carefully move your strudel onto the baking sheet and brush the top with egg white for that golden finish. Pop it in the oven for 20-25 minutes till puffed and perfect. Let it cool just a bit before slicing or you'll lose that tender pull inside!

Easy Tweaks That Make Life Simple

• Swap out fresh herbs for dried thyme if you don't have fresh on hand. Just use about half the amount since dried are stronger.
• You can use pre-sliced mushrooms if you wanna speed up prep - just make sure to drain 'em well before cooking so no soggy filling.
• If you're in a rush, skip heating the skillet and pressure cook the whole mushroom mix for 5 mins before rolling it in pastry, but be sure to let it cool before adding the brie.
• Brush the top of your strudel with milk instead of egg white if you're avoiding extra fuss - it still browns nicely.

What It Tastes Like Fresh From the Pot

You catch that earthy and rich mushroom flavor right away with each bite. The different mushrooms bring their own little personality - like the silky portabello and meaty shiitake mix nicely.

The brie melts down smooth and adds a creamy, slightly tangy note that balances the savory mushrooms. You notice subtle hints of fresh thyme sneaking through that tie it all together real good.

The puff pastry wraps everything up with a flaky crust that's golden and crisp on the outside yet soft enough close to the filling. You get that tender pull as you bite in that just makes you want another slice.

Making It Last All Week Long

• Refrigerate: Keep your strudel wrapped tight in foil or stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll stay good about 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the oven or air fryer.
• Freeze: Wrap the unbaked strudel well in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When you want it, thaw overnight and bake fresh for best puff and crispness.
• Reheat: For leftovers, warm slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to help bring back that flaky texture and melty cheese. Microwaving works but pastry gets kinda soggy.

Everything Else You Wondered About

• Can I pressure cook the mushrooms before adding to pastry? Yep, for sure. About 5-6 minutes on high pressure with a quick pressure build and a natural or quick release works great.
• Do I gotta use all three kinds of mushrooms? Nah, you can mix it up with whichever you like best or whatever's in your fridge. Try adding button mushrooms or oyster for a twist.
• Why slow release after pressure cook? Slow release helps keep the mushrooms tender and juicy instead of drying them out. Plus it's safer with all that steam.
• Can I make this vegan? You'd need to swap brie for a vegan cheese alternative and check the puff pastry ingredients, but yeah, it's doable.
• How to avoid soggy pastry bottom? Make sure mushroom mix isn't too wet before you roll it in. Also, rolling the pastry on well-floured surface helps even thickness so it cooks evenly.
• What's the best way to slice the strudel? Use a sharp serrated knife and let the strudel rest 5 minutes so the filling firms up just enough to hold together nice when you cut.

Related Recipes to Try

Looking for more savory comfort food? Check out our Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes for another easy and flavorful main dish. If you love baking, you might also want to try our Mini Chai Muffins with Vanilla Bean Glaze, a great snack or breakfast treat.

More Inspiration

If you're interested in pressure cooking tips and tasty recipes, don't miss our Cozy Stuffed Pepper Soup Pressure Cooker Recipe that's perfect for chilly days. For a hearty casserole, our Cowboy Casserole is a family favorite that's easy to make any night of the week.