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Lana Mihajlović ha publicado una actualización
Level:
Scoolinar
Whispers of the Forest
#PlatingChallenge
Profile: Amateur
Type: Main Dish
Ingredients: Fresh homemade tortellini filled with ricotta and mushrooms (boletus and champignons); Butter; shallots; Garlic; White wine; Cooking cream; Toasted bacon and almonds; Spices
Story about „Whispers of the Forest“
Imagine this not as a recipe, but as an afternoon slowly sliding down the kitchen counter, wrapped in the scent of butter and mushrooms. These weren’t just tortellini. They were a quiet tribute to something internal, indescribable — a need to merge the simple with the elegant, the homely with the refined.
I named it Whispers of the Forest because each bite whispers a story — of a forest breathing quietly beneath a mossy canopy, of mushrooms growing in the hush of shade, of ricotta humming softly as it melts. It wasn’t a planned name; it simply arrived, like stumbling upon a hidden path in the woods you didn’t know existed, but somehow knew would lead you home. In the stillness of that plate, I heard a whisper — warm, earthy, familiar. And I knew: the forest had spoken.
Why this dish?
Because tortellini filled with ricotta and mushrooms have that magical ability to carry two opposites in a single bite: the softness of ricotta and the earthiness of mushrooms, the scent of the forest and the warmth of milk. And when you sear them gently in butter — it’s no longer just pasta. It becomes a story of how anything can transform when given a little extra care.The hardest part?
Hm. Probably patience. The restraint in cooking — to boil them just right, so they stay tender. To sear them just enough to gain color, but not so much they turn dry and overly crispy. It’s that fine line between rustic and delicate, between “eh, it’s okay” and “wow, what is this?!”But what did I love the most?
The sound. That soft “sizzle” when the tortellini touch the buttered pan, as if they were telling me, “Well done, we’ve made it.” And the aroma that followed — warm, full, comforting — was the day’s embrace.Every bite held a little surprise — a bit of mushroom that soaked up more butter, a spoonful of ricotta that melted like snow in spring, the texture of pasta offering perfect resistance. And just when it felt complete, I added a final touch: crispy pancetta and toasted almonds. That salty crunch and nutty warmth brought everything into balance — a little luxury layered onto comfort. Maybe that’s why this dish became a reminder that every day holds the chance to feel not just special, but quietly extraordinary.
Benjamín Marín, Sussan Estela Olaya y6 más14 Comentarios-
Level:
Scoolinary Team
Lana, this post is a total gem — both culinary and poetic 💫
“Whispers of the Forest” doesn’t just describe a dish, it *tells* it — and the photos bring that story to life so vividly. The textures, the color contrasts, the gentle chaos of petals and mushrooms on that creamy canvas… it all whispers exactly what you intended.
Also, that lavender-toned plate? 💠The *perfect* frame for these forest-inspired hues. The props and silverware are so well chosen — they ground the scene without distracting from it. Just beautiful work.
💬 What guided your plating choices here — did you envision the visual first or did it evolve as you cooked?
Thanks for sharing something so soulful (and delicious)!
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Level:
Scoolinar
@Sol Damiani I’m so glad you felt the story through the plate – that was exactly my intention: to blend the earthy tones of the forest with the delicacy of ricotta and petals. That “gentle chaos,” as you so beautifully put it, is exactly what the forest always evokes in me – spontaneous beauty without rules.
The lavender-toned plate came to me by pure chance, but the moment I saw the contrast with the sauce and mushrooms, I knew it was the one! The plating, in this case, happened somewhere between vision and impulse – I had a rough idea, but once the aroma started rising from the pan, my hands just took over.
Thank you again for stopping by, seeing, and feeling. Words like yours are the wind beneath my wings! ❤️✨
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Level:
Scoolinary Team
@lanamihajlovic 💝
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Level:
Scoolinary Team
What a beautiful story and presentation, Lana!
The photos are full of thoughtful details the petals, textures, and colors make it look carefully crafted and incredibly appetizing. Did you plan to use toasted almonds for that crunchy touch from the beginning, or was it something that came up along the way?
I really enjoyed how you described the sound and feel of biting into the tortellini. It’s something we often forget—cooking isn’t just about flavor, it’s also about listening and feeling.
Here’s a little suggestion that might add something extra: if you ever make this dish again, you could try a variation with different mushrooms, or even add a touch of lemon to explore another layer of contrast with the butter.
Thanks for joining the challenge again with such a wonderful creation!🙌🏻
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Level:
Scoolinar
@Sussan Estela Olaya I’m so glad you noticed all the little details, because to me, they’re what tell the story – from the crunch of the almonds to the softness of the filling. I actually had the toasted almonds in mind from the beginning! I wanted that bit of contrast – something that gently cracks between your teeth as the tortellini melt away.
And I couldn’t agree more – cooking is so much more than taste. It’s sound, texture, the feeling in your hands… all of it comes together to create an experience.
I also love your suggestion about lemon – it really intrigued me! It could beautifully cut through the buttery richness. As for different mushrooms, I’m totally on board, too – I’d be thrilled to play with a variety. Unfortunately, there isn’t much available right now since it’s not mushroom season, and I’ve already used up all I had frozen over winter.
But as soon as the forest starts giving again, I’ll definitely try a new version. Maybe even with that citrus twist you mentioned – it sounds like the perfect refreshing contrast.
Thank you again for your kind words and the inspiration! 💞
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Level:
Scoolinary Team
@lanamihajlovic So lovely to read your message, Lana! You can really tell how much care and heart you put into every detail,it makes your dish tell a full story.
I love that you thought about contrast right from the start that shows such a thoughtful approach to cooking! 🥰
I can’t wait to see what new combinations you come up with once mushroom season returns!❤️
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Level:
Scoolinar
Simplemente perfecto! 👏🏼👏🏼
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Level:
Scoolinar
@Carolina Alvarez Santín Thank you dear ❤️
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Level:
Scoolinar
Qué bonito plato, Lana. Me encantan tus susurros del bosque y que te hayas agarrado al ‘eh, está bien’ y no le hayas dado opción al ‘¡vaya, qué es esto!’.
Maravillosos tortellinis, fabulosa narración y gran consejo: que cada día puede ser no solo especial, sino extraordinario. A veces cocinamos platos con los que lo conseguimos.😍
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Level:
Scoolinar
@Beatriz Torija Thank you, sis! I’m glad the dish conveyed the atmosphere I intended. Sometimes the charm is in that simplicity, and your words remind me that every day can be special if we give it the right meaning. Thank you for noticing that! 💞
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Level:
Sous Chef
Y estos susurros del bosque te han llevado a un momento único que sólo tu sabes vivir. Precioso plato Lana y precioso relato👏👏
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Level:
Scoolinar
@Maloles Muñoz Thank you dear ❤️
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Level:
Scoolinar
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Level:
Scoolinar
@Antonio Salvador Moreno Carretero Thank you 🤗
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