By Jena Pape, Hy-Vee Dietitian

September is National Mushroom month. And, just as the season for mushrooms is endless, so are the possibilities for using them to makeover your meals.

Mushrooms are in season all year long, and with the wide range of varieties and versatility in preparation methods, these vegetables make a tasty accompaniment to virtually any dish.

Mushrooms are also an economical and nutritious addition to meals. They are packed with beneficial nutrients like potassium, riboflavin, niacin, selenium and vitamin D. In fact, like humans, mushrooms have the capability of increasing their vitamin D content as they are exposed to sunlight, one trait that truly sets them apart from any other vegetable. Furthermore, these hearty vegetables are also low in calories and fat and cholesterol free.

Incorporating these tasty morsels into your usual diet can be quite simple. Here are a few tips to get you started:

“Mushroomatize” your meat: Mushrooms provide a texture comparable to meat. Whether exchanging just a portion of meat or replacing it altogether, mushrooms are an excellent mix-in or vegetarian alternative for menu items like burgers, meatballs, sloppy joes, and even tacos.

Pair with pastas: Mushrooms make a great addition to pizza (see recipe below) and pasta recipes.

Sandwich switcheroo: Swap your usual sandwich lunch meat with sliced portabellas.

Tasty toppers: Mushrooms are perfect flavor-enhancing toppers for meals ranging from steaks, chicken and fish, to soups and salads. Plus, topping these dishes with mushrooms ensures an extra serving of vegetables in your day.

Simply sauté: Brush your pan with oil or butter, heat, create a single layer of mushrooms and cook until reddish brown on each side. Not only does cooking bring out a delicious flavor in mushrooms, but it also causes them to release more nutrients.

Sensationally stuffed: Stuffed mushrooms make a great appetizer for any occasion. Remove caps from your choice of mushrooms and fill with toppings like green onions, garlic, cheese, bacon or bread crumbs. Again, the possibilities are endless.

 

Skinny Supreme Pizza

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

•1 whole wheat dough ball or crust

•1 cup pizza sauce

•8 ounces. mushrooms, sliced

•2 medium sweet peppers, sliced (red and green)

•1 medium onion, sliced

•2/3 cup turkey sausage crumbles

•1 1⁄2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Stretch pizza dough into a 1⁄2 inch thickness on a standard sized baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Bake pizza dough for 6 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

4. Layer your crust with the pizza sauce, sausage, pepperoni, vegetables, and cheese.

5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.

Recipe altered from: http://blog.festfoods.com