Mushroom, Walnut, and Rosemary Paté

1 red onion, cut lengthwise into thin crescents
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms
1 cup sliced shiitaki mushrooms
½ ounce dried chanterelles, soaked in ½ cup boiling water for 30 minutes
1 cup red wine
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh sage
1 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 cup walnuts, toasted
1 Tablespoon tamari soy sauce
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 ½ cups water
2 teaspoons powdered agar agar, or 2 Tablespoons agar agar flakes

1. To prepare the toasted walnuts, first soak in two cups of warm water for 30 minutes. Drain. Place nuts on a baking sheet and bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes, or until dry and light brown. Rotate every 10 minutes. Allow nuts to cool to room temperature before serving.
2. In a large nonstick skillet or sauté pan, cook the red onion, garlic, and mushrooms in the red wine, the chanterelle soaking liquid, and sea salt over medium heat, stirring often, until all the moisture has evaporated. Add the chanterelles and cook until heated through. Remove from the heat. Add the sage, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, pepper, and yeast and stir well to incorporate. Transfer to a blender. Add the walnuts, tamari, vinegar, and 1½ cups of the water. Blend until smooth.
3. In a small saucepan, bring the remaining 1cup water to a boil. Whisk in the agar agar and turn the heat to low. Continue whisking until the agar agar is thoroughly dissolved, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add to the mushroom mixture and blend until incorporated.
4. Test the paté to ensure that it sets up by refrigerating 1 tablespoonful for 10 minutes. If the test paté isn't firm by them, dissolve another 2 tsp agar agar powder or 1 Tbsp agar agar flakes in boiling water and add to the paté. Spread in an 8 x 5-inch loaf pan or 8-cup mold. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Unmold and cut into slices and serve.