Some meals can do more than excite your taste buds – they can improve your health in ways you can’t imagine. So, in this post, you’ll find five delicious recipes that will provide you with enormous health benefits.
Their main ingredient is the super healthy mushroom. Not many know that mushrooms are not vegetables but actually fungi. Even though they might not look so appealing, mushrooms are loaded with nutritional benefits.
As a matter of fact, many Asian countries have used mushrooms in alternative medicine for centuries. However, Western medicine started investigating their healing properties not so long ago.
Before getting to the recipes that will help you take advantage of mushrooms’ medicinal properties, we list their main health benefits. You’ll see this natural ingredient is potent enough to fight diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and many more health conditions and diseases.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
All of these health benefits are scientifically supported. To learn more about them, visit Everyday health.
Help treat cancerControl and prevent diabetesControl and prevent cardiovascular diseasesStrengthen the immune systemReduce weight and avoid obesityReduce stress, boost energy, and improve brain functionProvide antibiotic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal propertiesHelp treat gastric and liver injuriesHelp treat vitamin D deficiencyPromote oral healthPrevent age-related diseasesControl and prevent allergiesRegulate inflammation in the bodyPromote hair and skin healthBeing a good source of copper, they help prevent blood pressure complications, osteoporosis, etc.
Now that you know the main benefits you’ll get by eating mushrooms, here are five excellent ways to include them in your diet.
1. Mushroom Barley Soup
This delicious soup is packed with fiber. It can serve 4 people according to All Recipes.
Ingredients:
8 cups of sliced, white mushrooms200 grams of pearl barley2 tbsp. of extra virgin oil1 l of mushroom or chicken stock3 tbsp. of all-purpose flourHalf a cup of sour cream3 celery stalks, finely chopped4 minced shallots1 tsp. of salt200 ml of white wine1 tsp. of ground pepper2 cups of boiling water2 tbsp. of butter1 tbsp. of fresh, minced sage
Preparation:
Boil about 200 ml of the stock and the barley in a saucepan. Cover and leave to simmer for about 25 minutes and remove from heat.
Next, you need a Dutch oven to heat the butter and olive oil. Add the shallots and once they soften add the sliced mushrooms. Wait until the mushrooms get a brown color, which will take around eight minutes.
Then, add the pepper, sage, celery, and salt. Once the ingredients soften, add the flour and mix for 1 minute. Then, pour in the wine and the rest of the stock. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat. Allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes.
Now, add the cooked barley and continue to cook. In the end, just pour in the sour cream.
2. Gourmet Mushroom Risotto
The recipe serves 6 people and it takes 50 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients:
1 lb. of white mushrooms1 lb. of Portobello mushrooms, thinly slicedHalf a cup of white wine (or a substitute for white wine)1/3 to ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese3 tbsp. of olive oil6 cups of chicken broth3 tbsp. of chives, finely chopped4 tbsp. of butter1 cup of Arborio rice2 diced shallotsSalt and black pepper to taste
Preparation:
Take a large saucepan and heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Put the mushrooms in the heated oil and cook until soft, which will take about 3 minutes. Pour the cooked mushrooms together with the liquid in a separate bowl.
Next, heat the rest of the olive oil in a skillet and add the shallots. Cook for a minute and add the rice. Make sure you mix well until coated with oil. Once the rice gets a golden color, add the wine and stir profusely.
Now, heat your chicken broth under low heat. Pour half of it into the rice mixture and mix until fully absorbed. Then, pour in the rest of the broth gradually. Mix until you get a tender but firm rice.
Put the mixture aside from heat and add the cooked mushrooms together with the liquid. Then, add the chives, parmesan, butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
3. Mushroom Pork Chops
This meal serves 6 people and takes 40 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients:
4 to 6 pork chopsHalf a pound of mushrooms (preferably Crimini), sliced1 cup of onions, sliced2 tsp. of olive oil1 can of cream of mushroom soupSalt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Sear them in heated oil (use only one teaspoon of olive oil) for 2-3 minutes on each side once they turn brown remove them from the skillet and cover to retain the warmth.
Next, add the rest of the olive oil to the skillet and add the sliced onion and mushrooms. Sauté them until they turn brown.
Then, return the pork chops to the skillet and add the cream of mushroom soup. Cover and cook on lower heat for another 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
4. Chicken with Mushrooms
This recipe serves 4 people and takes 40 minutes to prepare. It’s best served over rice or noodles.
Ingredients
2 eggs, beaten300 grams of white button mushrooms1 cup of bread crumbs/ two tbsp. of all-purpose flour2 boneless chicken breasts6 ounces of sliced mozzarella cheese¾ cup of chicken broth2 tbsp. of butter or olive oil
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees.
Put the chicken breasts in the beaten eggs and roll them in the seasoned breadcrumbs or all-purpose flour. Sear them in heated oil/butter until they color brown on both sides.
Then, take a pan and put half of the mushrooms (150 grams) and the seared chicken breasts on top of them. Place the rest of the mushrooms onto the chicken breasts. Add the mozzarella slices and finally, the chicken broth. Put the pan in a preheated oven to 350 F and bake for 35 minutes.
5. Mixed Mushroom Omelet
This dish serves two to four individuals. The first portion of the ingredients is good for two people, whereas the second is for four. It takes about 35 minutes to prepare according to All Recipes.
Ingredients
150g/300g of mushrooms (Swiss, button, Portobello), sliced and mixed20g/80g of butter2 tbsp. of onions and chives4/8 separated eggs2 tbsp. of cold waterSalt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Put half the butter in a frying pan and melt over low to medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they soften, or about 4 minutes. Remove the cooked mushrooms from the pan and cover to retain their warmth.
Whisk the eggs with the water and seasonings until well combined.
Melt the rest of the butter in a frying pan over low to medium heat. Once it starts to sizzle, add the beaten eggs in a way that covers the whole base.
Then, add the cooked mushrooms together with the chives and continue to cook for around 2 minutes.
Divide the omelet into two servings and serve with cherry tomatoes.