Celebrate veggies all year long with a new vegetable each week! This week, we're highlighting mushrooms.
When I was little I really did not like mushrooms. For example, I made my mom pick the mushrooms out of my spaghetti sauce {high maintenance, no?}
Now, I seriously can't get enough mushrooms. I like them roasted, sautéed, raw, you name it. I love love love mushrooms.
Their meaty texture is great for substituting meat if you're trying to make something vegetarian-friendly. They are also a budget-friendly alternative to meat.
Read on to learn about the wonderful health benefits, tips for picking your mushrooms, and lots of mushroom recipe ideas.
Mushroom Nutrition:
*1 cup chopped mushrooms has 15 calories, 0.2g fat (0g saturated fat), 2.3g carbohydrates, 0.7g fiber, 2.2g protein, 17%DV Riboflavin, 13% Niacin, 10% Pantothenic Acid, 11% Copper, 9% Selenium, 3% Vitamin D
Mushroom Fun Facts:
*Mushrooms are technically not vegetables -- they are members of the fungi group. Fungi have no seeds, stems or flowers and reproduce through spores.
*There are several cultivated mushrooms available: button, oyster, chanterelle, shiitake, crimini, straw, porcini, enoki {or enokidake}, and morel.
*Portobello mushrooms are overgrown crimini mushrooms and are the largest cultivated mushrooms.
*Mushrooms are powerful immune boosters with anti-inflammatory benefits, and they are the only vegetable that has vitamin D.
Mushroom Tips:
*When shopping for mushrooms, buy firm mushrooms that are even in color with tightly closed caps. Avoid mushrooms that have soft spots or mold.
*There are some wild mushrooms that are deadly, so make sure to purchase wild mushrooms from a reputable mushroom retailer.
*8 oz. mushrooms = 3 cups chopped = 8-10 medium-sized button mushrooms
*To clean, use a damp paper towel to wipe off dirt. Or you can quickly rinse off the mushrooms. Don't soak your mushrooms.
*Mushrooms can be used as a meat replacement or to help cut back on meat in dishes thanks to the mushroom's meaty texture. The blendability technique is a great way to incorporate mushrooms into your diet.
Mushroom Recipes:
Steak with Blue Cheese Mushroom Sauce
Roasted Mushroom and Beef Soup
Brie and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Recipes from other blogs:
*Potato & Mushroom Curry from Eats Real Food
*Mushroom Bolognese with Sweet Potatoes from Healthy Aperture Blog
*Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms from Fannetastic Food
*Healthy Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake from Pinch of Yum
*Farro Risotto with Mushrooms from Delicious Knowledge
*Pepper Jack Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms from The Spicy RD
*Creamy Sweetpotato & Mushroom Pasta from Food Confidence
*Sweet Potato Polenta Bites with Thyme-Marinated Mushrooms from Kara Lydon
Meme
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
I love, love, love mushrooms, although just like you I didn't as a kid. What was I thinking?! Thanks for sharing all these fun facts about mushrooms and fabulous recipes (including mine 😉 )
Meme says
I am so happy that I grew out of my mushroom hating stage because they are so so tasty 🙂
Your pizza sounds amazing!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
Love these weekly vegetable roundups! Thanks for including my risotto!
Meme says
Thanks Alex! That mushrooms risotto looks delish!
EA-The Spicy RD says
Great post! I am a huge fan of mushrooms now, but I honestly can't remember now if I liked them or not as a child 🙂 Thx so much for sharing my pepper jack stuffed mushrooms!
Meme says
Isn't it funny how our tastebuds change as we get older. Stuffed mushrooms are one of my all time favorite appetizers -- I must try your version 🙂
Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian says
Such a fun idea for a blog series! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE mushrooms (& they happen to be a client of mine). Thanks so much for including my polenta bites!
Meme says
Thanks Kara! Mushrooms rock and those polenta bites look perfect!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
Looove mushrooms. Great information. I put them in everything, but my daughter is not a fan yet so I have to keep them chunky so she can fish them hope. Fingers crossed this changes soon!
Meme says
Thanks Marjory! and I totally know the feeling haha. Maybe she'll be like me and grow to love them as she gets a little older 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
My fridge is never without mushrooms!
Meme says
Same here! And if it is then I promptly buy more 😉
Alanna says
I LOVE mushrooms in all shapes and sizes. I also was not a fan when I was younger, but now I literally can not get enough! I have been eating boatloads of them this week so far. Every recipe looks and sounds amazing - thanks so much for including my curry! Yay for mushrooms!!
Meme says
Thanks Alanna! I am loving all this mushroom love. It makes my veggie-loving heart pitter patter 😉 Can't wait to try your delicious looking soup!
Min says
Oh yes! Mushrooms...LOVE 'em always have always will..esp the enokis they are in a lot of Korean soups and stews. It's how I get my vitamin D since the sun is nonexistent as of late 😉
Meme says
🙂 They are a mighty tasty way to get your Vitamin D, aren't they?! I have always been intimidated to buy enokis, so I will have to get some of you recipes to try!
Nina | Whats for eats says
Great minds think alike Meme! I am featuring mushrooms on my blog this month too - it's because they are so fantastic. I will be checking out your recipes in more detail just so that I can eat more mushies 🙂