Feb 27, 2007
Mighty Mushrooms by Caley Walsh
Every time my family ordered pizza when I was a kid, my dad would find some way to sneak mushrooms onto a corner of that pizza, possibly tucked under a layer of cheese per special instruction to the pizza parlor. He loved them but I was stubbornly convinced that a single mushroom would ruin the entire pizza. Now that I'm older and have developed a more refined palate (ok fine, I still love Cinnamon Toast Crunch), I've come to understand how just special mushrooms are in the world of cuisine. They provide an extraordinary variety of texture and flavors which seem to adapt to any kind of dish. And, as a bit of icing on the cake, I've learned how mushrooms are truly wonderful for your health. Consider this my ode to the mushroom.
Health Benefits
When it comes to health, edible mushrooms are a right up there with other super-foods green tea and broccoli. After all, the first antibiotics were extracted from fungi. Being 80-90% water, mushrooms are low in calories, while still being high in fiber. They are fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in sodium (especially good for those on a hypertensive diet). Here are some other reasons to sneak more mushrooms into your cooking: · Mushrooms are considered probiotic, meaning that they help the body to strengthen itself and ward off illness. Part of mushrooms' probiotic ability comes from their high percentage of the nutrient riboflavin. · Mushrooms are a great source of potassium, a mineral which helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. A medium portabella mushroom has more potassium than a glass of orange juice or a banana. · Phytonutrients found in mushrooms have been at the center of anti-cancer research for decades. In many countries, medicinal mushrooms are used as an adjunct to other cancer treatments.
White mushrooms actually range in color from white to light brown, and come in many different sizes. The smaller varieties of white mushrooms are called button mushrooms and are easily the most popular mushroom in cooking, found in most grocery stores. Freshly picked white mushrooms have a mild or delicate flavor. As the caps darken, they develop a richer taste. · Recent studies have shown that white mushrooms can reduce the risk of breast and prostrate cancer.
Grilled Lemon Shrimp and Mushrooms Teriyaki Mushrooms and Steak Green Bean Casserole Mushroom Antipasto Pasta Salad Thyme Beef Stroganoff Mixed Mushroom Stir-Fry Bowties with Chicken and Mushrooms Stuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes with Ham, Mushrooms, and Gruyere Cheese Candied Tomatoes and Mixed Green Salad with Sautéed Vegetables Lemon Chicken Coq Au Vin Roasted Mushroom Salad
Crimini/Cremini/Italian Brown
Crimini mushrooms are similar in appearance to white mushrooms, but are a darker color, ranging from light tan to dark brown. They have a firmer texture and a stronger, earthier flavor than white mushrooms. These make a great substitute for white mushrooms in any recipe and work especially well with beef. · Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of selenium, which is needed for the proper function of the antioxidant system in the body. Selenium works to prevent colon cancer, arthritis, and even asthma. Crimini mushrooms are also exceptionally good as a source of zinc, a critical mineral for the immune system.
Crab-Stuffed Filet Mignon with Whiskey-Peppercorn Sauce Chicken in Ale Barbecued Seafood Skewers Warm Chicken Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette Red Wine-Braised Rabbit with Wild Mushrooms Beef Filet Mignon with Wild Mushroom Sauce Asian Grilled Shrimp Quesadillas Grilled Veggie Kabobs Vegetarian Hobo Dinner
Every time my family ordered pizza when I was a kid, my dad would find some way to sneak mushrooms onto a corner of that pizza, possibly tucked under a layer of cheese per special instruction to the pizza parlor. He loved them but I was stubbornly convinced that a single mushroom would ruin the entire pizza. Now that I'm older and have developed a more refined palate (ok fine, I still love Cinnamon Toast Crunch), I've come to understand how just special mushrooms are in the world of cuisine. They provide an extraordinary variety of texture and flavors which seem to adapt to any kind of dish. And, as a bit of icing on the cake, I've learned how mushrooms are truly wonderful for your health. Consider this my ode to the mushroom.
Health Benefits
When it comes to health, edible mushrooms are a right up there with other super-foods green tea and broccoli. After all, the first antibiotics were extracted from fungi. Being 80-90% water, mushrooms are low in calories, while still being high in fiber. They are fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in sodium (especially good for those on a hypertensive diet). Here are some other reasons to sneak more mushrooms into your cooking: · Mushrooms are considered probiotic, meaning that they help the body to strengthen itself and ward off illness. Part of mushrooms' probiotic ability comes from their high percentage of the nutrient riboflavin. · Mushrooms are a great source of potassium, a mineral which helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. A medium portabella mushroom has more potassium than a glass of orange juice or a banana. · Phytonutrients found in mushrooms have been at the center of anti-cancer research for decades. In many countries, medicinal mushrooms are used as an adjunct to other cancer treatments.
White mushrooms actually range in color from white to light brown, and come in many different sizes. The smaller varieties of white mushrooms are called button mushrooms and are easily the most popular mushroom in cooking, found in most grocery stores. Freshly picked white mushrooms have a mild or delicate flavor. As the caps darken, they develop a richer taste. · Recent studies have shown that white mushrooms can reduce the risk of breast and prostrate cancer.
Grilled Lemon Shrimp and Mushrooms Teriyaki Mushrooms and Steak Green Bean Casserole Mushroom Antipasto Pasta Salad Thyme Beef Stroganoff Mixed Mushroom Stir-Fry Bowties with Chicken and Mushrooms Stuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes with Ham, Mushrooms, and Gruyere Cheese Candied Tomatoes and Mixed Green Salad with Sautéed Vegetables Lemon Chicken Coq Au Vin Roasted Mushroom Salad
Crimini/Cremini/Italian Brown
Crimini mushrooms are similar in appearance to white mushrooms, but are a darker color, ranging from light tan to dark brown. They have a firmer texture and a stronger, earthier flavor than white mushrooms. These make a great substitute for white mushrooms in any recipe and work especially well with beef. · Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of selenium, which is needed for the proper function of the antioxidant system in the body. Selenium works to prevent colon cancer, arthritis, and even asthma. Crimini mushrooms are also exceptionally good as a source of zinc, a critical mineral for the immune system.
Crab-Stuffed Filet Mignon with Whiskey-Peppercorn Sauce Chicken in Ale Barbecued Seafood Skewers Warm Chicken Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette Red Wine-Braised Rabbit with Wild Mushrooms Beef Filet Mignon with Wild Mushroom Sauce Asian Grilled Shrimp Quesadillas Grilled Veggie Kabobs Vegetarian Hobo Dinner
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