OPEN-FACE MUSHROOM SANDWICHES WITH PECORINO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Special equipment
• Six-eight 10" metal skewers or bamboo skewers, soaked (optional)
• Pecorino salsa verde
• Toss shallots, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a small bowl to combine; lightly season with salt (the Pecorino will add some saltiness, so bear that in mind). Let sit 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, very thinly slice Pecorino into tiles with a knife (irregular pieces are okay).
• Add Pecorino, herbs, and oil to pickled shallots and toss gently to combine. Taste and season with more salt if needed; set aside.
• Mushrooms and assembly
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; clean grate. Working one at a time, set mushrooms on their sides and slice lengthwise ¼" thick to make 3-4 planks per mushroom, depending their size. If your mushrooms are particularly small or you are using crimini, slice ½" thick and thread onto skewers to keep them from falling through grate.
• Using some of the oil, brush cut sides of mushrooms and transfer to a large bowl or arrange on a rimmed baking sheet if skewered. Lightly brush both sides of each slice of bread with remaining oil and transfer to a platter.
• Press each slice of bread down across grate for even contact and grill until browned with some lightly charred spots, about 2 minutes per side. The goal is a crunchy exterior with a still chewy center. Transfer bread back to platter.
• Brush grate to clean. If using a gas grill, turn heat down to medium. A charcoal grill should be at the tail end of medium-high and headed toward medium at this point, but wait a few minutes if needed. Grill mushrooms, turning halfway through and moving around as needed to avoid flare-ups, until golden all over with lightly charred edges, 6-8 minutes for small pieces and 8-10 minutes for large ones. Return to bowl (slide off of skewers if needed). Add Pecorino salsa verde and toss to combine. Spoon mushroom mixture over grilled bread.