Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Mushroom "Mondays"

I know today is Tuesday but I had yesterday off making today my 'Monday'. Tonight's dinner was based on Crimini Mushrooms I had bought last week on a whim. I discovered a quick and easy recipe for Quinoa Pilaf this weekend, which I planned on trying out. I worked an early shift and was able to swing by a local market after work to pick up a few additional ingredients for my meal.

At first I was a little nervous because I have never cooked with Crimini mushrooms before but the recipe was so easy it was hard to mess up. I ended up pairing the pilaf with sautéed kale & Brussels sprouts, seasoning with dill, green onion, and jalapeño. Overall I was very pleased with the meal and the pilaf simply hit the spot on a cool fall night.


Quinoa Pilaf with Crimini Mushrooms




Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon kosher for Passover olive oil
  • 1 small shallot, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup crimini mushrooms, wiped clean and thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed well and drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves removed from their stems
  • bay leaf
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups vegetable stock, or water

Directions

Place a saucepan on high heat and get it hot. Add the olive oil and swirl it around to make sure the entire surface is covered with oil. Add the shallot and sweat (cook until translucent but not brown). Add the crimini mushrooms and cook until brown. Add the quinoa, thyme leaves, bay leaf, kosher salt and black pepper to the pan and stir. Let the ingredients heat up and roast a little to bring out all their fullest flavors. The steam coming up should be very aromatic.
Slowly and carefully add the vegetable stock (it will spatter because the pan and ingredients are hot). When it comes to full boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover and allow to steam for about 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, turn off the heat, remove lid and fluff the quinoa and then replace the lid and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
Taste for seasoning and adjust, if necessary. Serve.

No comments:

Post a Comment