Big Mushrooms

December 2, 2008 by applec

Up until dinner, it was an uneventful foody day. I had a JUMBO crispin apple and Vanilla Peanut Butter mid morning. Lunch was left over quiche with brown rice, 1/4 cup garbanzo’s and a salad. Not picturesque so I didn’t snap any shots.

Dinner? Well dinner proved interesting. I took the basis of this recipe from www.ZestyCook.com The portobella pizza. I used most of the ingredients recommended:

4 portobella mushrooms (I used the big ones- not baby bellas.)
1 cup Zesty Tomato Pasta sauce (2/3 cup Ted – 1/3 for me)
Cooked Turkey (for Ted) and Cooked Tofurky (for me)
Pinch red pepper flakes in Teds and 1/4 tsp in mine.
Small can pineapple chunks, drained (5.5 oz of pineapple)-about 2/3s of can in Teds an rest for me (cut into diced pcs.)
1 tsp basil….1/2 tsp each
4 to 6 each, sliced cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup Reduced Fat Shredded Sharp Cheddar, split between us
4 TBS Feta, split between.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Clean the mushrooms as described by “Zesty”. Mix sauce with basil and pepper flakes and spoon some inside each mushroom, keeping some to mix with other ingredients. Reminder: If you do meat and meatLESS, keep your meat mixes separate…. Mix the turkey and the tofurky with the pineapple which you have diced and add that to your left over sauce. Fill the mushrooms with this and top with cherry tomato slices and cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes. These are modified from www.zestycook.com ‘s instructions. His recipe looked delish so I had to try it and since I picked up the ‘bellas Sunday, it was perfect timing!.

I served the main dish with Garlic Kale. I steamed the kale for about 10 min. Rinsed and delicately squeezed out moisture. Added 1 TBS olive oil to hot pan, added 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste, added kale and saute’d for about 4 min.

Here’s a did you know…about mushrooms taken from “The Essential Best Foods Cookbook” by Dana Jacobi. Mushrooms are rich in protein. They are also rich in antioxidants and the selenium in them helps repair DNA and protect against prostate cancer. The may be saute’d, grilled, roasted, marinated, added to sauces, stews, soups, etc. Portobella’s are simply overgrown cremini mushrooms!

Now here’s a great exercise for tomorrow if you have access to a ball. This looks like it would be fun. Found on Sparkpeople.com: Wheelbarrow Walk with Ball

Starting Position
Start behind the ball, place your midsection on the ball and roll forward until your hands reach the floor just below your shoulders.
Action
Slowly walk out with your hands until the ball moves towards your toes. Only walk out as far as you are comfortable (either to your hips, knees, or ankles). Once you’ve reached your point of comfort, slowly walk back to the starting position, breathing steadily throughout.
Special Instructions
Keep your core strong by not dropping your hips. Your body should be as straight as possible.
Muscles Worked: Abs, Shoulders Time Involved: 2-4 minutes
Body Benefit: This move is a great core stabilizer, building strength and endurance in your abdominals and lower back.