November Superfood: Mushrooms
It’s November and there is a fungus among us – the superfood this month is mushrooms! Did you know there are more than 2,000 types of edible mushrooms? The most common types to cook with are white button, crimini, Portobello, and shitake, but there are a ton of other mushrooms that add creativity and flavor to any dish.
Mushrooms are so marvelous because they contain several important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, potassium, selenium, copper, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. They are naturally low in calories and sodium, fat-free and inherently gluten-free.
When shopping for mushrooms, choose firm, unblemished mushrooms, all the same color–stay away from any that look shriveled or wilted. Select the size depending on how you plan to prepare them; choose larger mushrooms like portobellas for stuffing or grilling, smaller ones like buttons if you’re slicing them up.
There is no need to wait for mushrooms to ripen, as they can be used immediately or kept in the fridge. Just use a damp paper towel to brush off any dirt before eating.
Mushrooms make a great vegetarian option in place of meat because of their hearty “umami” flavor. Use in veggie burgers, meatless meatloaf, sloppy joes, tacos, chili and more. Mushrooms also make great additions to soups, stir frys, pasta dishes, casseroles, salads and of course, pizza!
How will you enjoy mushrooms this month?