Dried mushrooms add so much flavour to a consomme. Porcini, morels or shiitake, now available at most grocery stores or at specialty stores or delis, are good choices.
Pork tenderloin makes a leaner yet flavourful substitute in this lighter take on pork chops and gravy. If you like, use shiitake, oyster or portobello
mushrooms in place of the cremini mushrooms.
Glazed carrots and mashed potatoes are suitable side dishes for this family-friendly meal. If you're a mushroom lover, add 2 cups (500 mL) sliced stemmed shiitake mushrooms along with the regular variety.
Quinoa gives any stir-fry a modern twist and an enjoyable chewy texture. The stems on shiitake mushrooms are woody and not nice to eat, so make sure to remove and discard them before you slice the caps.
My fettuccine is a flavourful dish packed with healthy ingredients, and is a perfect vegetarian entree. The dish will be served hot, all except for the goat cheese that will be added at the end, only to allow it to slowly melt on top. I have been a vegetarian for about 6 years now, and I have never felt better. I love to research various local farmers in the Niagara Region, and buy fresh ingredients. I decided on this dish by researching in-season produce for November when the contest will published in the Canadian Living Magazine. Mushrooms came up, and kale is such a healthy green that along with the pine nuts and goat cheese, this entree is packed with protein and fiber.
Grilling oyster mushrooms crisps their edges and intensifies their woodsy flavour. If you like, try this recipe with portobellos, shiitake caps or halved large button mushrooms. Sheppard peppers are a nice seasonal alternative to red bell peppers.
This white lasagna dish, made with bechamel instead of tomato sauce, makes a satisfying gift to a friend in need. Look for packages of mixed mushrooms (shiitake, oyster and cremini) or buy a selection of each.
This simple dish marries the earthy flavour of buckwheat noodles (soba) with the forest (shiitake mushrooms) and the sea (nori seaweed). Nori and wasabi are available in many supermarkets and Japanese and Korean shops. Wasabi lovers might like extra to serve on the side.
This dark broth, full of mushrooms and vegetables, is an enticing change from the usual creamed mushroom soup. You can use shiitake or oyster mushrooms as well — just remove the tough stems. If no exotic mushrooms are available, substitute white button mushrooms.
If you can't find chanterelle or oyster mushrooms, use a mix of shiitake and cremini, which are more affordable and available year-round. For the creamiest texture, make sure to use an upright blender, rather than an immersion blender, to purée the soup.
