Mario Batali gives mushrooms his endorsement

By The NORTHWEST NEWS GROUP

"Time grows increasingly precious as Americans enter the fall season with packed schedules, shorter days and less time to make dinner.

Rejuvenate the family with easy dishes made with mushrooms that add essential nutrients and the elusive fifth flavor, umami.

Chefs like Mario Batali, an award-winning celebrity chef, restaurateur and author, have long known about umami, which means “savory deliciousness” in Japanese. Batali credits mushrooms as one of his hidden treasures when it comes to umami.

“Mushrooms add a burst of rich, savory flavor that makes food taste good from the first bite to the last. Whether I’m cooking at home or the restaurant, mushrooms give that ‘something special’ quality to any dish.”

In Batali’s new book, “Italian Grill,” he showcases Portabellas with Arugula and Parmigiano, which combines Mario’s love of mushrooms and grilling into a unique and scrumptious entrée.

Not only are mushrooms a delicious choice for family meals, they’re part of a healthy diet. According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, only 10 percent of Americans have optimal blood levels of vitamin D, which is especially alarming as sunlight becomes less available in the fall and winter. Mushrooms are the only fresh vegetable or fruit with 4 percent of the daily value of vitamin D per serving and may be a natural solution for getting more of this important “sunshine vitamin.”

For Mario Batali's Delicious Recipes visit the Northwest Herald.

Grilled Oriental Mushroom Salad

Assorted fresh mushrooms and a zesty oriental style dressing is the stars in this warm zippy salad-- perfect for lunch or to accompany grilled meat.



Print the full recipe from the Mushrooms Canada website.

For more cooking videos and guides visit the Mushrooms Canada Cooking Classroom.

Study Shows The Power Of Energy Density

New Mushroom Study Shows The Power Of Energy Density

ScienceDaily (2008-08-17) -- Preliminary research suggests increasing intake of low-energy density foods, specifically mushrooms, in place of high-energy-density foods, like lean ground beef, is a strategy for preventing or treating obesity. This is good news for the more than one-third of US adults age 20 and older who are obese, according to the Center for Disease Control.... read full article

Grilled pizza with mushrooms, pear and brie

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 8 minutes
Serves: four to six

4 oz mushrooms
2 tsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
4 oz brie cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pizza crust, preferably thin
3 tbsp basil leaves, thinly shredded

Either leave mushrooms whole and toss with oil and salt and pepper to taste; grill, uncovered and turning occasionally, until barely tender, four to five minutes and slice or slice mushrooms, then heat oil in large skillet over medium-high; saute until barely tender, four to five minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

In medium bowl, gently toss together mushrooms, pear and brie.

Place pizza crust on oiled grill over medium-high heat; cook just until grill marks appear, about one minute. Turn. Scatter pear mixture evenly over crust. Close lid and grill until cheese melts, two to three minutes. Remove and scatter with basil.

Nutritional information:
1 Serving (when recipe serves six):
9 g protein
9 g fat
36 g carbohydrates
263 calories

~ Recipe courtesy of Foodland Ontario

Mushroom Promotion at RichTree Markets

They've done it again! Mushrooms Canada is sponsoring a great Promotion with RichTree Markets. . . Mushroom Fest 2008!

Look at all the great prizes you can win. . . a Weber BBQ and the New T-Fal Vitacuisine Steamer.

The contest is being held exclusively at these RichTree Market Locations:
- 181 Bay St, Toronto
- 220 Yonge St, Toronto
- 444 Yonge St, Toronto
- 100 City Centre Dr, Mississauga
- 50 Rideau St, Ottawa

So head on over to RichTree to enter the contest. And why not sample a mushroom dish from their extensive mushroom menu, including:

• Ciabatta Mushroom Sandwich with Spring Onion - Tarragon Spread, mild Cheddar $5.69
• Grilled and Roasted Mushroom Salad with Baby Spinach, Marinated Spanish Red Onions and Mushroom Dressing $4.98
• Grilled Portobello Burger with Melted Pepper Harvarti Cheese, Caramelized Onions and Sweet Potato Fries $9.98
• Braised Button Mushrooms with Basil and Aged Balsamic Vinegar side $3.29
• Baked Mushroom Pasta with Smoked Chicken and Young Leeks $6.99
• Grilled and Roasted Mushroom Salad with Baby Spinach, Marinated Spanish Red Onions and Mushroom Dressing $4.98
• Hot and Sour Mushroom Broth with Cilantro and Scallions $3.79
• "Croque Monsieur"Toasted Sandwich Layered with Prociutto Cotto, sautéed Field Mushrooms and mild Swiss Cheese $6.29
• Four Mushroom Pizza with Smoked Bacon, Chili and Garden Fresh Herbs $9.98

*Contest runs July 28 to August 10, 2008

A Funky Fungi Favourite

"Mushrooms are the only natural fresh vegetable that contain vitamin D

By JAMES SZUTARSKI
Wed, June 18, 2008

With the lack of spring-like weather this year and a sun that does not seem to shine, our bodies are deprived of the much-needed vitamin D, which we absorb from those golden rays of sun.

If we cannot get vitamin D from the sun, there are several options in some of the foods we eat. One, in particular, is good old fungi, that's right, mushrooms. Did you know that mushrooms are the only natural fresh vegetable or fruit with vitamin D? They also pack an antioxidant-punch that aids our bodies in good health.

MANY TYPES
There are many varieties on the market. Each one offers its own flavour dynamic and texture. I personally have not found a mushroom that I did not like.

One of my favourites, which is quite well-known with most people, is the plain white button mushroom. It has virtually endless cooking qualities and tastes amazing in almost any recipe.

Freshness is of the utmost importance when you purchase mushrooms. For example, don't be fooled when looking for the perfectly ripe mushroom by its size. This is not a freshness indicator.

PICKING THE BEST
Here is how to select a perfect mushroom:

• The surface of the mushroom should be dry, but not dried and wrinkled. The appearance should be plump.


• A closed veil under the cap shows a delicate flavoured mushroom, while an open veil with exposed gills means a more potent flavoured mushroom.


• Always purchase mushrooms that are firm, with a fresh, smooth appearance.


• Once you get these perfect fungi home, proper storage and humidity are important for optimal freshness.


• Mushrooms will store well in the refrigerator for up to a week in a porous brown paper bag.


• Avoid airtight containers as they cause condensation to form which will speed up the spoiling process and the mushrooms will go mouldy very quickly.


• Fresh mushrooms do not freeze well, but if cooked first, will last the better part of a month before freezer burn takes over.


• Many people believe that mushrooms are grown in pig manure. This is simply not true. A good quality mushroom is grown in optimal soil made of compost that has been fortified with various organic matter. That means not much cleaning is required when preparing mushrooms for use. Simply take a damp paper towel or brush off gently with your fingers.


• Rinse fresh mushrooms under cold water immediately before use. Pat dry and never let them soak as they will act as a sponge and absorb excess water.


• When it comes time to cook, preparing the pan is important for sauteing, which is the most common method for cooking mushrooms. Always preheat the pan on high and add oil or butter. Never overcrowd the pan when sauteing. Too many mushrooms will cool the pan and cause the mushrooms to cook slowly, releasing the liquid of the mushroom causing them to stew.


• Saute single sliced layers on a high heat until the mushrooms shrink and turn a light red-brown colour.


• Always season with salt and pepper.

I hope the information I have given helps you next time when you are preparing mushrooms. Here is a recipe using sauteed mushrooms."

For the fabulous CREAMED MUSHROOMS recipe visit the Edmonton Sun.

Photo: Copyright 2008 Mushrooms Canada

Enter to Win a T-Fal Practica Frypan

Enter Now for your chance to win
1 of 25
T-Fal Practica Frypans
from Mushrooms Canada

To enter the Contest click here. To visit T-Fal Canada's website click here. To visit Mushrooms Canada's website click here.

Approximate Retail Value: $45.49.