Grilled Portabello Mushroom Caps - Vegetarian Burger Option

Asian Grilled Portobellos

This recipe is a nice alternative to having a burger off the grill. It is lower-fat, cholesterol free, and full of flavor nonetheless.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons red wine

3 tablespoons vegetable broth

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 small onion, peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons dark sesame oil

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper

4 portobello mushroom caps, wiped clean with a damp cloth

Purchased at your local farmer’s market, portobello mushrooms are often dramatically cheaper than your local supermarket.

Directions:

Pour the liquid ingredients and seasonings into a resealable plastic bag, or a Tupperware© type of container. Mix well.

Place mushroom caps into marinade, turning each a few times to coat.

Marinate for at least 2 hours, either turning over bag or flipping caps around, every half hour or so.

Remove caps from marinade and grill for approximately 5 minutes on each side until cooked through and tender. You may use some of the reserved marinade to baste your mushrooms if you wish.

Serving:

Can be sliced and eaten as you would steak with baked potato and a side of salad.

Can be diced and mixed with sauteed vegetables over a bed of rice.

Can also be served on hamburger buns or toasted English muffins, in place of a burger, with plenty of options for toppings, including:

sliced tomato
sliced red onion
roasted peppers
lettuce
avocado
sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed or rehydrated)
ketchup
mustard
mayonaisse

Variations:

eliminate the ginger and use other seasonings in its place (i.e. rosemary, thyme, sage)
replace white wine with sake or even beer
eliminate sesame oil, and reduce olive oil to only 1 tablespoon as a way to save fat and calories
use the same marinade for scallops, shrimp, chicken, or even beef

Adapted from:

A Man, a Can, a Grill: 50 No-Sweat Meals You Can Fire Up Fast

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Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net