mushrooms

Beef Enoki Rolls

Beef Enoki Rolls

Ooooh these are little rolls of magic! Lately I've become obsessed with enoki mushrooms. The bouncy texture, how easy they are to cook, and the way they soak up whatever flavors surround them. They are dirt cheap, and you can toss them into virtually any dish. Growing up, I think I've only really eaten enoki mushrooms when I've gone out to eat hot pot with friends. I always enjoyed them, but they were definitely an afterthought. (Hello, beef!) Recently, however, I've been eating enoki with everything - stir fries, soup, noodle dishes, even salads. Their sweet, mellow flavor is so yum. 

I was inspired by these Japanese Beef Enoki Rolls that I had as part of a lunch set the other day, and couldn't get enough of them. They are simple to prepare and the marinade is actually super versatile and can be used for cooking other protein. Beef Enoki Rolls are tender, juicy, and almost taste like beef jerky - a harmonious blend of soy, ginger, garlic, sake, and sesame oil create an incredibly savory marinade for the thinly sliced beef. Soaking the enoki mushrooms in warm, salted water allows them to soften and gain some flavor. Finally all you've got to do is wrap small bundles of mushrooms in the marinaded beef and pan fry. Searing the meat takes a few minutes, and then you're in flavor heaven. Let's get cookin!

Eggplant Pizza

Eggplant Pizza

Eggplant pizza is the easiest way to satisfy your pizza cravings when you're trying to cut down on carbs! Using fresh eggplant as a "pizza crust" is a quick and tasty substitute; not to mention how cute they are!! Pizza is such a fun, hands-on meal to make with kids, and what better way to get some extra veggies into your families' diets than to use eggplant slices instead of dough :) 

Tomato Braised Chicken and Mushrooms over Polenta

Tomato Braised Chicken and Mushrooms over Polenta

My mind pictured a tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken thigh, seared and then cooked gently in a delicious tomato basil sauce. Crimini mushrooms hold up nicely in liquid, and the addition of fresh spinach is perfect to round out this dish. I’ve been a little apprehensive about posting this recipe because I cheat and use one of my favorite bottled sauces from TJ’s, their Tomato Basil sauce. I know that some people are super anti pre-made sauce, but honestly, it’s budget-friendly ($1.99/bottle), delicious, and makes this meal easy to throw together on a weeknight when time is so important. You can of course, substitute your own favorite homemade tomato sauce, but I am stickin to my guns - I love the TJ’s Tomato Basil. 

Cheesy Polenta with Lemon Thyme Mushrooms

Cheesy Polenta with Lemon Thyme Mushrooms

Polenta is a delicious gluten-free addition to any menu. It’s so versatile! You can bake it, grill it, fry it, or serve it creamy. Recently I ordered a wonderfully gooey Jalapeño Cheesy Creamy Polenta at a restaurant and it inspired me to start exploring different ways to serve this yummy dish. The great thing about polenta is that it takes on the flavors you infuse it with quite easily. It’s simple to make and can be tweaked to your families’ tastes!