Mushrooms

 

Check out these wild mushrooms. I took this picture on a hike in Colorado. I do not know if these are edible but I would like to know!

Let's talk about mushrooms and why you should incorporate them into your diet. They are meaty so if you aren't a meat eater then a mushroom burger is for you. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, zinc, iron, Selenium, protein, magnesium and Vit D. They boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, decrease underlying inflammation and fight Alzheimer's, cancer and diabetes. 

So you say you don't like mushrooms..... Well go to a high end restarant sometime and order some sauteeed. You will probably change your mind.  

Here are a few ideas:

You can put them in a food processor and blend. Use them in soups, casseroles, eggs, rice dishes etc. The pieces will be so small no one will know they are there!

Saute' them and spoon over a grilled steak, hamburger, grilled chicken, baked potato etc. Red meat has beome very expensive and chopped mushrooms added to hamburger meat will increase your meat by about a half. Since mushrooms take on flavor and are already meaty then they work great in meat casseroles to extend the amount of meat! Say you want 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef for a recipe If a pound of hamburger meat costs $8.00 and you buy a pack of mushrooms for $2.00 That would probably save you at least $3.00 at checkout. As opposed to buying an extra 1/2 pound of meat!!

NEVER wash mushrooms. They soak up the water and become "squishy" then rubbery! Just take a damp rag and brush off the dirt. I try to only buy the organic ones. Less chemicals in the soil.

Here are the most common you see in the supermarket.

White button, Cremini and Portabellos are actually the same mushroom but left to mature longer in the order I listed them. The longer they mature the more deep the flavor.

Shitaki have a darker color and meatier taste. They are also more chewy. They are often used in Asian cooking. They are the most popular dried mushroom as well. Reconstituted with water or broth make them a win. The dried mushrooms have a very deep and rich flavor.

Oyster mushrooms grow on trees, are light in color and have a mild taste.

As the winter months approach grab some mushrooms and add them to your dishes. Your body will thank you!