Shiitake Mushrooms Summer Squash And Quinoa Pilaf Recipes

QUINOA PILAF WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS, CARROTS & PECANS

Steps:

• Combine quinoa and chicken broth in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to low, cover and simmer until quinoa is cooked, about 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots and thyme and cook until the carrots are just tender, 5-7 minutes. Add remaining tablespoon of olive oil, along with mushrooms and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until mushrooms are cooked through, a few minutes. Season vegetables with ¼ teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Add cooked quinoa to vegetables and stir in pecans and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot or warm.
• Note: Shiitakes never come in contact with dirt, so the only washing usually necessary is a gentle wipe with a damp cloth or a paper towel. Use a knife to remove the stems where they meet the cap.

SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS, SUMMER SQUASH, AND QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• 1. Bring the water to boil in a teakettle or small pot. 2. Heat the oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned. 3. Add the garlic, onions, squash, and carrots to the skillet. Sauté, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes, or until the onions begin to soften and the ingredients become fragrant. Stir in the quinoa, thyme, curry powder, salt, rosemary, and cayenne. 4. Add the boiling water, and bring the ingredients to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer covered for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Adjust the seasonings, if desired. 5. Serve immediately. FYI . . . The delicious woodsy-flavored shiitake mushroom has been considered potent medicine by Asian herbologists for thousands of years. In addition to its anti-viral properties, the shiitake is known for strengthening the immune system, reducing the risk of some cancers, and lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure.