Isn’t it funny how something so simple can make such an amazing difference? Just last night, I made hamburgers for dinner. Plain old, simple hamburgers. But they weren’t just hamburgers, because while the burgers were cooking on the grill, I sauteed some mushrooms, onion and garlic in a little olive oil…and turned my burger into something incredible. (You want to take a bite, don’t you?)
Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? The theme for 2013 is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” and mushrooms are a perfect fit for national Nutrition Month, don’t you think? They’re so versatile that they can be added to breakfast, lunch or dinner, they are a natural source of vitamins D and B and a rich source of antioxidants to boost your immune system, AND they’re inexpensive and in season all year round. Plus, for those of us looking to eat healthier and cut down on the meat, mushrooms are the perfect alternative for swapping in for a portion of the meat in your favorite recipes. You might say they’re a perfect food.
As I was thinking of writing this post, I thought of several “old favorite” recipes that use mushrooms – I have so many of them. But in a whim of creativity I decided to try something totally new (yes, a food experiment) based on marinated mushrooms, which I adore. Guess what? My experiment worked and the result – Marinated Mushroom and Smoked Sausage Pasta – was born.
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onions
- ⅛ tsp dried oregano
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- 6-8 small, fresh mushrooms
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into bite sized pieces
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- Mix together red wine vinegar, 1 Tbsp olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, and spices (through pepper). Add mushrooms to the bowl with the marinade and let sit for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, saute sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove smoked sausage from pan and set aside. Leave oil from the sausage in the pan.
- To the same pot add 2 tsp olive oil and spinach; saute until wilted.
- Add tomatoes and garlic and continue cooking for about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour mushrooms and marinade into the pan and heat through. Add drained pasta and Parmesan cheese and toss until combined.
Join the #MushroomDish Twitter Party
In honor of National Nutrition month, the Mushroom Channel and my friends at Resourceful Mommy are hosting a Twitter Party on Wednesday, March 20th 8-9 PM EST using the hashtag #MushroomDish.
The party will be highlighting the nutritional benefits of mushrooms….and you’re guaranteed to go home with a new stock of delicious recipes (come prepared to share your favorite recipes, too!). To find out more and be eligible for prizes, check out the main hub post at Resourceful Mommy (and don’t forget to RSVP!).
If the new recipes and kitchen ideas aren’t enough to persuade you, here’s a peek at the prizes that will be given away during the hour: 1 $100 Visa Gift Card, 4 $50 Visa Gift Cards, 8 $25 Visa Gift Cards. I’m all about the Visa Gift Cards! Note: The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Connect with the Mushroom Channel:
Visit the Mushroom Channel’s website at Mushroominfo.com for mushroom recipes, their up-to-date blog, nutritional information and current happenings. And be sure to connect with them across their social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Pin
Note: This post has been sponsored by The Mushroom Channel. All opinions are my own and the recipe is an original.
© 2013, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
This looks delicious! We’ve recently been trying to eat more mushrooms, so I’m excited to see what marinating them will do. I’ve added your page to my StumbleUpon! :)
Looks delicious. We love mushrooms!