Cooking mushrooms in the microwave works extremely well. Use whole button or thickly-sliced mushrooms. Put seven to eight ounces (200g to 227g) in a microwavable bowl; cover and cook on HIGH for two to three minutes, stirring once. There is no need to add butter or oil. In a few minutes you will have great tasting, cooked mushrooms.
grilling or broiling mushrooms
(4-8 minutes)
This technique usually works best with large cap mushrooms such as Portabellas, Shiitakes and Jumbo Whites. Brush the caps and stems with oil to keep them moist, and season with salt and pepper. Grill or broil for 4-6 minutes on each side, brushing with more oil once or twice while cooking.
roasting mushrooms
(20 minutes)
To get perfect roasted mushrooms, place them in a shallow baking pan, toss with one tablespoon of oil and roast in a 450°F oven, stir occasionally. Roast the mushrooms until they are brown and fragrant.
Here's a delicious way to enjoy five servings of vegetables - toss noodles with a stir-fry of locally grown and economical Ontario vegetables. Serve as is or add some diced or sliced cooked beef, chicken, pork or tofu.
Preparation Time: 20 Minutes
Cooking Time: 25 to 30 Minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- Pastry for double-crust 9 in. (23 cm) pie
Mushroom Filling:
- 1 large Ontario Parsnip, peeled and diced
- 1 large Ontario Carrot, diced
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) chicken broth
- 2 tbsp (25 mL) butter
- 1 medium Ontario Onion, chopped
- 1/2 lb (250 g) Ontario Mushrooms, sliced
- 4 tsp (20 mL) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) half-and-half cream
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) cognac or brandy
- 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each ground nutmeg and freshly ground pepper
Preparation:
Roll out pastry and line 9 in. (23 cm) pie plate.
Mushroom Filling: In saucepan, cook parsnip and carrot in chicken broth until tender; do not drain.
In nonstick skillet, melt butter on medium-high heat. Add onion and mushrooms; cook 5 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Reduce heat to low. Stir in flour, cream, cognac, salt, nutmeg and pepper; cook, stirring, until thickened. Stir in parsnip mixture. Cool slightly.
Turn filling into pastry-lined pie plate; arrange second crust over filling, crimping edges. Slash crust in several places for steam vents. Bake in 425ºF (220ºC) oven 25 to 30 minutes until pastry is browned. Cut into wedges to serve.
Variation: Fill 2 dozen small unbaked tart shells with Mushroom Filling and bake 15 to 20 minutes in 425ºF (220ºC) oven.
