Mushrooms As Your Main Course

Enjoy mushrooms as your main course for a meal that is meat-free and delicious. Don’t shake your head in wonder over how this can be. Did you know that many organic meat substitutes are made from meaty vegetables? There is a delicious product that looks and tastes just like a scrambled hamburger but is made from mushroom pieces instead. Most people wouldn’t know the difference when eating something like chili or chop suey.

Let’s start with two ways of eating them whole. A large, thick slice of portobello mushroom is akin to eating a delicious, tender piece of steak–if, of course, it is cooked properly. Cook your mushrooms as follows and enjoy them one of two ways.

Prepare a heavy skillet with olive oil. Mix a small piece of crushed garlic along with some thinly sliced onions until tender. Remove from pan. Add mushroom slices (these should be about the size of a small hamburger bun in circumference–be sure to select this size when shopping for your mushrooms) to the pan. Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinaigrette over them. Brown both sides and reduce heat to low. Add a bit more vinaigrette and a drizzle of olive oil if the pan is getting dry. Cook for about 5 more minutes.

Serve one of these ways:

• Grill a whole wheat bun. Serve mushrooms on the bun with sliced tomatoes and Boston lettuce, along with aioli on the side.
• Place the mushroom on a bed of brown rice Season with a sprinkle of ocean salt and newly broken black pepper. Add a vegetable on the side.

Use chopped mushrooms as a substitute for meat in any kind of casserole. Use them in spaghetti sauce, too. Mushrooms can be a delicious main course in your healthy meal plan. Have fun as you practice cooking with them and learn how you and your family like the best.