Archive for the ‘Kitchen Swap’ Category

Spinach Mushroom Quiche

Mushrooms take the place of ground sausage in this great breakfast recipe by Erin Chase from $5 Dinners. In fact, this quiche is so hearty and satisfying that it’s even a go-to meal option for lunch or dinner.

Breakfast. Brunch. Lunch. Brinner. Any and all of these meals could play host to this simple, yet elegant dish. Serve it up to your family on a busy weeknight or to out of town guests on a leisurely Saturday morning. This quiche would also be a great addition to the spread at a potluck luncheon or to take to a friend who’s in need of a meal.

Brinner, or breakfast for dinner, is a staple at our house. It’s my, “Gahhh, I need to come up with a meal, and quick” default. Whether it is pancakes, scrambled eggs, waffles or quiches, breakfast for dinner always succeeds in pleasing the palate and filling the little tummies around the table.

And this spinach mushroom quiche is no exception. The kids didn’t even pick up that I’d swapped out the usual ground sausage for sliced mushrooms. In fact, they ate their pieces without hesitation and left the table smiling and satisfied.

Spinach Mushroom Quiche

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 ounces fresh spinach leaves
  • 8 ounces sliced white mushrooms
  • Salt and pepper
  • 6 eggs
  • 3 ounces crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 pie crust, homemade or store bought
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil and then sauté the fresh spinach leaves and sliced mushrooms for 4 to 6 minutes, or until mushrooms have browned some and the spinach has “melted.”

In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the feta crumbled.

Place the pie crust into the prepared baking dish. Gently add the sautéed mushrooms and spinach to the pie plate. Then pour the egg-feta mixture over the top.

Place the quiche into the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, add the shredded mozzarella to the top and return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

Serve Spinach Mushroom Quiche with a side of fresh fruit for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner!

Mushroom Lover’s Eggs Benedict

Handy kitchen work and creative thinking from We Are Not Martha takes a classic brunch staple, eggs benedict, and gives it a modern, tasty twist.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve judged restaurant brunches on their eggs benedict. If eggs benedict is on the menu, without a doubt I order it. While traditional eggs benedict is almost always heavenly, I get even more excited if I spot a bit of a variation. Like crab cake eggs benedict because that’s as far as restaurants tend to go. They just don’t seem to get very creative with this brunch item, probably assuming, “Why mess with a wonderful thing?” While I generally agree with that sentiment, I’ll answer you why, “To make it even better!” And better comes from the addition of mushrooms. Enter Mushroom Lover’s Eggs Benedict.

There are many things that can take eggs benedict to the next level, but there are some essentials in my book. The English muffin must be replaced with a biscuit. I knew I’d be baking biscuits for my Mushroom Lover’s Eggs Benedict and decided to pack the biscuits full of crimini mushrooms to add to the flavor punch. Instead of laboring over a hollandaise sauce, I whipped up a simple mushroom sauce to top the benedict. I also replaced the ham with a layer of lightly sautéed kale for an added tangy touch. The egg remained the same, perfectly poached with a beautiful runny yolk.

You want your eggs benedict to be packed with an earthy flavor that brings comfort to your soul, making you feel right at home with your loved ones for the rest of your weekend afternoon.

 

Mushroom Biscuits (makes about 12):

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 oz chopped crimini mushrooms
  • 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/4 cup milk

Benedict with Mushroom Sauce (makes 2 serving of benedict):

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 4 oz shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon marsala wine
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 cup torn kale leaves
  • 4 biscuits from above recipe

 

Mushroom Biscuits:

1) Sauté the mushrooms in olive oil over medium heat, until softened.

2) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, salt and pepper.

3) Add the chilled butter into the flour mixture and work it into the mix with a pastry blender or your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse sand.

4) In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Add to the flour mixture and mix until it’s just incorporated.

5) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop about 1/4 cup of dough and place on baking sheet. Continue placing dough about 2 inches apart.

6) Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, until biscuits are just turning brown.

Benedict with Mushroom Sauce:

1) Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the mushrooms and sauté until they’re softened. Stir in marsala wine, cooking for about 1 minute.

2) Add in milk and flour. Whisk vigorously until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper then remove from heat.

3) To poach eggs, bring water to a boil in a large skillet with vinegar. Crack eggs into two bowls (2 in each) and gently drop into water. Remove skillet from heat and cover. Let eggs cook for 5 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon to paper towel-lined plate.

4) Heat olive oil in small skillet. Put kale in skillet and sauté until wilting and a tiny bit crispy. Remove from pan.

4) Put 2 biscuits on each plate, flat side up. Top each with kale and a poached egg. Spoon mushroom sauce over the top.

Enjoy!

Take a (Spring) Break with Easy Mushroom Fajitas

It’s finally spring! This time of year always makes me itch for a fun getaway. Since there is no spring break vacation on my calendar this year I decided to give myself a staycation, complete with my favorite vacation food…fajitas!

Fajitas have always been a favorite of mine because they are tasty no matter what I’m craving – beef, chicken or even veggie. This time I settled on using steak. It’s the perfect complement to the medley of crisp-tender spring veggies like onions, bell peppers and mushrooms. And besides, who doesn’t love the flavor-packed combo of steak and mushrooms?

This recipe was a total breeze to put together. While the steak marinated, I chopped all of my veggies and preheated the grill. In less than 15 minutes, I was ready to savor the flavors of vacation without having to leave my backyard!

If you share my love for fajitas and appreciate leisurely meal preparation, then you’re going to enjoy this Mushroom Steak Fajita recipe.



Mushroom Steak Fajitas (serves four)

Ingredients

  • 12 oz sirloin or other boneless steak, about ¾-inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon no-salt fiesta lime seasoning (Like Mrs. Dash), divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups sliced crimini mushrooms
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 medium yellow or white onion, sliced into strips
  • 8- 6-inch whole wheat tortillas
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 4 tablespoons non-fat sour cream

 

Directions

  1. Slice beef across the grain into ¼-inch strips. Place in a medium bowl with ½ tablespoon fiesta lime seasoning’ toss to coat.
  2. Place mushrooms, peppers and onion and remaining fiesta lime seasoning in a large bowl; toss to coat.
  3. Heat oil in large, non-stick skillet. Add beef strips; cook about 3-4 minutes. Remove from skillet. Place coated vegetables in skillet and sauté until vegetables are slightly tender, about 5-8 minutes. Add beef back to skillet and sauté mixture 1-2 more minutes.
  4. Assemble fajitas by dividing beef-vegetable mixture evenly on each tortilla, top with remaining ingredients and roll up.

Mushrooms On the Menu- The Results Are In!

The polls have closed for the Council’s “Mushrooms On The Menu” photo contest, and the votes are in! We had a blast checking out all of your photos, and dining vicariously with you at restaurants across the country.

Thanks to your votes via the Mushroom Channel blog and twitter, we are proud to announce our three winners. Please join us in congratulating the following mushroom fans:

  • 1st place: Amanda Downing – Mushroom Burger from Rockit Bar & Grill in Chicago, Illinois
  • 2nd Place: Tom Garner – Rack of Lamb from La Famiglia Italian Restaurant in Destin, Florida
  • 3rd Place: Paula Jones – Stuffed Pork with Spinach Salad, Tomatoes and Mushrooms from Capri Restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina

Mushroom Burger from Rockit Bar & Grill in Chicago, IL

Just because the contest is over, doesn’t mean you have to stop sending your mushroom photos! We still want to see your favorite mushroom dishes, so keep on sending ‘em our way.

“Mushrooms On The Menu” Photo Contest – Cast Your Vote!

In November, the Council sent out a call for the most eye-catching and delicious mushroom dishes at restaurants across the country. A number of you rose to the chow challenge and sent us images of the mushroom dishes you’ve ordered out that look good enough to eat (and presumably, you all cleaned your plates). Now it’s time to choose a winner and the competition is tight- we really need your help!

Just take a look at all of the photos below and then vote for the corresponding letter and description at in the poll at the bottom of this post.

The entry with the most votes will receive a $100 gift card, 2nd prize is a $75 gift card and 3rd prize is a $50 gift card.

Voting ends December 17 at 5:00 p.m. CST, so vote now!

A)  Stuffed Pork with Spinach Salad, Tomatoes and Mushrooms at Capri Restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. Submitted by Paula Jones.

B)  Turkey Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy at Rockit Bar & Grill in Chicago, Illinois. Submitted by Amanda Downing.

C)  Rack of Lamb at La Famiglia Italian Restaurant in Destin, Florida. Submitted by Tom Garner.

D) Chicken Mushroom Platter at Cholla Prime Steakhouse in Scottsdale, Arizona. Submitted by Joseph Assaf.

E)  Mushroom Burger with Truffle Aoili at Rockit Bar & Grill, Chicago. Submitted by Amanda Downing.

F)  Mushroom Deep Dish Pizza at Gino’s East in Chicago, Illinois. Submitted by Sydney Williams.

G)  Mushroom Torta at Oxco in Chicago, Illinois. Submitted by Elizabeth Karmel.

H)     Mushroom Lasagna from Shroom Shack. Submitted by Krsna April Rosner.

[poll id="2"]

“Mushrooms on the Menu” Restaurant Photo Contest

The old saying goes, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” but we beg to differ. The Council is hosting a “Mushrooms on the Menu” contest to recognize the most eye-catching and delicious mushroom dishes at restaurants across the country. Send us a photo of a mushroom dish you’ve ordered in a restaurant for the chance to win a gift card of up to $100 to use the next time you dine out.

From today until Wednesday, November 17, share your photos via Twitter or email and you’ll automatically be in the running! Include a brief description of the dish and name the restaurant and location. All approved photos will be uploaded to the Mushroom Channel the week of November 15 and readers can vote on their favorite entries.

Check out some examples of our great mushroom finds, and then get started on your own pics! Want to increase your chances of winning? Get tweeting! Every person who re-tweets your entry using the #shroompic hashtag will count as a vote toward your submission!

To Enter:

Don’t forget to include a description of the dish, the restaurant and location it’s from

Key Dates:

  • Submit photos from Wednesday, 10/27 – Wednesday, 11/17 on Twitter @mushroomchannel or via email info@mushroominfo.com
  • Look for your photo on the Mushroom Channel blog and VOTE from Thursday, 11/18 – Sunday, 11/29
  • First, second and third place winners will be announced Monday, 11/29

Rules:

  • Participants may enter more than one entry provided a different mushroom menu item is photographed and submitted
  • Photos that show mushrooms at restaurants will be selected and posted to the Channel for voting (no illegal or inappropriate content, please)
  • All entries can be used by the Mushroom Council in future marketing communications
  • 1st prize is a $100 gift card, 2nd prize is a $75 gift card and 3rd prize is a $50 gift card
  • Winners of previous Mushroom Council Grocery Store Challenge contest are not eligible to win again

For extended contest rules, click here.


“Hongos:” a row of delicious mushroom tacos (shared as an appetizer) from Mexican fave, Mercadito (Chicago, IL)

Sautéed mushrooms top a savory “Ratatouille” vegetarian crepe at Le Creperie (Chicago, IL)

Mushrooms Star in Collegiate Culinary Challenge

Recently we attended the National Association of College and University Culinary Services (NACUFS) Annual Conference in San Jose, CA. We were there to cheer on the mushrooms staring in this year’s Culinary Challenge (and we were there to support the chef’s too!).

NACUFS’ annual Culinary Challenge is a recipe competition that recognizes college and university culinary professionals in a venue where they can show off their talents and regional food styles. Before making it to the big dance in San Jose this summer, competing chefs battled against their peers in six regional contests. The victorious chefs then faced the 2010 Culinary Challenge: preparing four portions of an original hot entrée during a live-action competition using a pre-selected featured ingredient, the portabella mushroom.

This was the first time NACUFS selected a non-meat item/protein, so we were pretty pumped that mushrooms made the cut. NACUFS reps told us they chose mushrooms because they can be used as the “center of the plate” and in a variety of ways. Case in point, the dishes showcased in the challenge demonstrated how creative you can get with mushrooms.

The winner of the challenge was (drum roll please) Kylie Charter from the Rhode Island School of Design who whipped up a mouth-watering Stuffed Salmon, Vegetables and Muscat Mustard Creme, served with portabella gnudi and pea green and radish salad.

Here’s Kylie posing with her dish….

And I want to give a shout-out to the other fearless competitors and their mushroom-loving creations. They’re all winners in our book!

  • Steven G. Nalls, Colorado State University: Portabello and Chicken Roulade with glazed root vegetables and shaved fennel & arugula salad
  • Peter Mark Imranyi, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey: Portabella Mushroom Creme Fraiche Gnocchi with Poached Lobster, served with pickled fennel, Swiss chard, tomato concasse and a Madeira-scented mushroom consommé
  • Eric Moe, Northern Michigan University: Venison ‘Stew’
  • Eric Haney, University of California – Berkeley: Grilled Portobello, Apple and Fennel Risotto, Grilled Radicchio, Glazed Carrots, and Truffle Vinaigrette
  • DeWayne McMurrey, Texas Tech University: Portabella Roulade with Wild Mushroom Risotto and Tournee Carrots with Mushroom Jus

If you want to try your hand at any of these dishes, you can find the full recipes here.

While we were catching the action, we also had a chance to meet and chat with the chefs and judges about why they love cooking with mushrooms. One of the competing chefs told us he hearts ‘shrooms because they bring a nice earthy flavor to any dish. We couldn’t agree more!

To see all of the event photos, check out our album on Facebook. Enjoy!

Lights! Camera! Mushrooms!

We recently worked with Dan Coha to take some amazing pictures of delicious mushroom dishes from chefs and their restaurants across the country.

To find these delectable mushroom recipes, we first tapped our network of champion mushroom chefs.  We received an overwhelming amount of recipe submissions from chefs in high-end, trend-setting restaurants, university dining halls and even fast food chains- the variety and breadth of mushroom love knows no bounds.

It was a tricky task to narrow down all 50+ recipes to only eight for the final shoot. We chose recipes that embodied new culinary trends, demonstrated creative mushroom applications and of course…tasted absolutely delicious!

Shooting eight mushroom dishes took more than you might think. A chef helped recreate each of the recipes while a special food stylist – armed with a pair of tweezers – painstakingly made each dish look picture-perfect (no pun intended).

But, the picture wouldn’t be complete without the help of a prop stylist. What’s a prop stylist you may ask? Check out the image below; lots of time and energy goes into each photo’s environment, so to speak, to create the perfect ambiance that accentuates the dish being photographed. This Thai Stroganoff was especially tricky. We went for the warm feeling of the brown setting.

Below are just some of the mouth-watering pictures we got to take home, but stay tuned; we’ll be featuring these new photos and their accompanying recipes regularly as we interview the chefs who created them.

Queso Fundido con Champinones Adobados – Chef Richard Sandoval, Zengo, Washington, DC

Sugarcane Portabella with Arugula Salad – Chef José Luis Ugalde, Gibraltar, El Granada, CA

Kitchen Swap: The Pump Room’s Portabella Mushroom Wrap

The Pump Room opened in 1938.  In its hayday, the restaurant’s old school elegance and illustrious guests made the Pump Room one of Chicago’s top dining destinations to see and be seen. In addition to being famous for its lofty customers and history, we have the Pump Room to thank for inventing the Bloody Mary!

Located in Chicago’s Gold Coast inside the Ambassador East Hotel, the Pump Room has served the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman among many other celebrities and socialites. Of course, the shining star of them all is the Pump Room’s delicious Portobello Mushroom Wrap. In accordance with its old Hollywood style, the Portabella Mushroom Wrap is made with mascarpone cheese and a port marinade for a chic and tasty twist.

The hotel and restaurant were recently purchased by Ian Schrager, the man behind Studio 54. While business may have slowed in recent years, we have every confidence that someone who knows a little something about iconic nightlife will be able do the restaurant justice and that it’s famed portabella wrap will continue adding to a long history of star power.

Portabella Mushroom Wrap

Recipe courtesy of Chef Joe Kindred, The Pump Room, Chicago

Yield: 24 servings

  • 6          Red onions, quartered in rings
  • 3          ounces port wine
  • 1 1/2     ounces balsamic vinegar
  • 24         Bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
  • 2          pounds large garlic cloves (skin on)
  • Olive oil as needed
  • 24         Portabella mushrooms, stemmed and gills
  • removed
  • 8          Shallots, thinly sliced
  • 12         ounces balsamic vinegar
  • 3/4        cup minced fresh thyme
  • 3/4        cup minced fresh chives
  • 1          cup plus 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil,
  • divided
  • 6          Egg yolks
  • 48         ounces mascarpone cheese
  • 24         Large spinach tortillas
  • 1 1/2     pounds fresh mozzarella cheese, grated

Directions

Combine the onion rings (keeping them intact), port, and balsamic and refrigerate overnight. The next day, drain off the marinade and grill the onions until softened.

Toss the peppers and garlic with olive oil to coat and roast in a 350-degree oven until the pepper skins have begun to blacken and the garlic is tender. Slip the garlic from the skins into a food processor. Peel and seed the peppers.

Combine 2 cups olive oil, the shallots, 12 ounces balsamic, the thyme, chives, and 3/4 cup of the basil. Season with salt and pepper and gently toss the mixture with the mushrooms. Place the mushrooms, upside down, on a sheet pan lined with parchment or aluminum foil. Put the shallots and herbs in the mushrooms, but reserve any liquid left in the bowl. Roast until the mushrooms are tender. Return them to the remaining marinade to cool slightly.

Put 6 roasted red peppers in a food processor with the garlic. Add the yolks and remaining 6 tablespoons of the basil. Puree until fairly smooth, then add the mascarpone 4 ounces at a time and puree until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

For each serving to order: Warm a tortilla and spread it with 2 tablespoons of the red pepper mascarpone. Slice and lay 1 mushroom on top and add several pepper strips. Top with 1/4 onion, separating the rings. Sprinkle 1 ounce of mozzarella evenly over the vegetables. Melt the cheese. Slide the hot tortilla onto a plate.

Kitchen Swap: The Fabulous Flavors of Fusion Fungi at China Grill

Mushroom Profusion Pasta

China Grill is a fusion restaurant chain not afraid to think outside the wok. Eating at China Grill takes you on a globetrotting journey through its Italian, Japanese, French, Chinese and American influences. Mushrooms, being the versatile cross cultural ingredient that they are, pop up all over the menu.

Executive Chef Philippe Pinon shared his recipe for Mushroom Profusion Pasta with Sake Madeira Cream Sauce with us.  A blend of Portuguese Madeira, Japanese sake and exotic mushrooms make this pasta sauce deliciously international.

Mushroom Profusion Pasta with Sake Madeira Cream Sauce

Ingredients

Sake-Madeira Sauce
3          pounds mushroom stems, washed
3/4        cup sliced shallots
6          tablespoons minced garlic
2          cups sake
1          quart Madeira wine
3          quarts heavy whipping cream
Kosher salt, to taste
Togarashi pepper spices, to taste

Mushroom Pasta
6          Portabella mushrooms, gills removed
3          pounds dried linguini
3          ounces unsalted butter
1          pound 3 ounces sliced white mushrooms
1          pound 3 ounces sliced oyster mushrooms
1          pound 3 ounces sliced shiitake mushrooms
3          cups sliced scallions
1 1/2     cups sliced oil-packed, drained sun-dried tomatoes
6          tablespoons minced garlic
1 1/2     cups mushroom or vegetable stock
1 1/2     cups Madeira wine
1 1/2     cups sake
12         ounces grated parmesan cheese
3/4        cup chopped fresh thyme

Directions

  • To make the sauce: Sweat the mushroom stems, shallots, and garlic. Deglaze the pan with the sake and Madeira. Simmer to reduce by half. Add the cream and reduce until slightly thicker, or desired consistency.
  • Puree the contents of the pan. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the mixture lightly, and discard the solids. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool the sauce in an ice bath.
  • To make the pasta: Toss the Portabella mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. Roast in a 350-degree oven until tender. Set aside to cool.
  • Parcook the linguini.
  • Melt the butter and sauté the sliced mushrooms, scallions, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic until lightly browned and soft. Season with salt. Deglaze the pan with the broth, sake, and Madeira. Add in the Sake-Madeira cream sauce, 6 ounces of the parmesan, and the thyme. Simmer until slightly thickened and flavorful. Set aside to cool.
  • For each serving, to order: Reheat 1 cup of linguini. Reheat about 1 cup of the sauce and vegetables over low. Thinly slice a Portabella and reheat 3 to 4 slices under the broiler. Plate the linguini, top with the sauce, Portabella slices, and a sprinkling of parmesan.