Grilled Portobello & Poblano Tacos with Cotija Crema

I took the Blenditarian Pledge because this Blend & Extend concept is seriously legit!  I love mushrooms already, but I had no idea how packed with nutrients they are.  There are so many ways you can incorporate them into meals you already make, like tacos!  I made these Beef & Portobello Tacos with Cotija Crema for my first go at the #blendandextend concept.

Recipe and photo by Julie of Dailytiramisu.com.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 12

Ingredients

3 Portobello Mushrooms, finely chopped
500g high quality ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 tsp paprika
½ tsp cumin

12 Small Flour Tortillas

Cotija Crema
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream or crème fraiche
1/2 cup finely crumbled cotija or feta cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 teaspoon ancho or guajillo chili powder, plus more for serving
1 medium clove garlic, finely minced

Other Toppings
Corn
Avocados
Salsa
Sliced radishes
Cilantro

Limes, for a fresh burst right before serving

Method

1. Heat an oiled, large deep skillet to medium high heat and add in the onion. Let them soften, about 2 minutes and then add garlic, paprika, cumin and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the beef and mushrooms to onion mixture and cook until the beef has browned. Salt as needed.
2. Make the Cotija crema: combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, garlic and chili powder in a large bowl. Stir until combined and set aside.
3. Wrap the pile of your flour tortillas in foil paper and warm them in your oven (I warm my tortillas for 6 minutes at 350 degrees F).
4. Create your taco: Add the beef and mushroom mixture to the centre of your tortilla. Add desired toppings. Top with the cotija crema and enjoy!
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Mozzarella Mushroom Blended Burger with Caramelized Onions

There are few burger combinations as classic as mushrooms and mozzarella. Using the Blend and Extend technique, these fresh mozzarella blended mushroom burgers with caramelized onions are a new take on an old favourite.

Recipe and photo by James of From James to Jamie.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

200 g. cremini mushrooms
400 g. extra lean ground beef
½ tsp. salt, dash of pepper
medium yellow onion, halved and sliced
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil
4 brioche buns
4-8 slices fresh mozzarella
Mayonnaise
BBQ sauce (optional)

Method

1. Blend/pulse your mushrooms until fine in a food processor.
2. Cook the mushrooms on a griddle (or in a large frying pan) over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Set aside to cool.
3. Give the griddle a quick wipe-down, turn it down to low-medium, and toss on your sliced onions along with the butter. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until soft and golden.
3. While the onions are cooking and once the mushrooms have cooled, combine the mushrooms together with your ground beef in a prep bowl. Stir until well-combined and form into four patties. Place the patties on a plate, cover, and place in the fridge.
4. Once the onions are the right texture and colour, add the balsamic vinegar and cook another two minutes, stirring often. Remove from the griddle and set aside.
5. Wipe down your griddle, turn it back up to medium, then add a small lug of oil and spread it around.
6. Combine together your salt and pepper in a small prep bowl, then sprinkle roughly half of your seasoning on the tops of your burgers. Place the burgers on the griddle with the seasoned side facing down.
7. After about 4 minutes, season the tops of the burgers with the other half of your salt/pepper mix, then flip. Cook an additional 3-5 minutes until no pink remains.
8. Construct your burgers by applying mayo to both sides of your buns, then adding the patties and topping with 1-2 slices of fresh mozzarella and your caramelized onions.
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Spaghetti Bolognese

Simple ingredients simmer together to create a robust and satisfying sauce that is even better the next day. 

Prep Time: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 1 hr. | Serves: 6

Ingredients

12 oz (375 g) fresh crimini Mushrooms
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
12 oz (375 g) lean ground beef
2 tbsp (30 mL) Worcestershire sauce
1 pkt (5 g) Mushrooms Seasoning Blend
1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) red wine
1 can (156 mL) tomato paste
1 bottle (720 mL) strained tomato purée
1 lb (500 g) spaghetti, cooked and drained
1/2 cup (125 mL) torn fresh basil leaves
Parmesan cheese

 

Method

1. Place the mushrooms, onion and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until finely chopped. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan set over medium heat. Crumble in the ground beef. Cook for 5 minutes or until browned. Add the mushroom mixture, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning blend and salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until tender.
2. Stir in the wine; simmer for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until dark red. Stir in the tomato puree. Simmer for 45 minutes or until thickened. Toss the spaghetti with the sauce and basil. Serve with Parmesan cheese.Tip: Freeze any leftover sauce in a tight container for up to 1 month.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving:
Calories 453
Sodium 571mg
Protein 25g
Fat 8g
Carbohydrates 66g
Dietary Fibre 8
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Italian Meatball Soup with Spinach

It may seem like a lot of work to make a two-part recipe on a weeknight but this recipe is not heavy on the busy work.

Recipe courtesy of Christina from Strawberries for Supper.

Prep Time: 10 mins. | Cook Time: 45 mins.

Ingredients

450 g lean ground beef
200 g cremini mushrooms, finely minced
¼ cup grated Parmesan
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
pinch of salt and pepper
900 ml low sodium beef broth
540 ml can stewed tomatoes with Italian seasoning (or diced tomatoes)
2 cups fresh baby spinach

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
2. To make the meatballs, start by finely mincing the mushrooms using a food processor with the blade attachment.
3. Combine the finely minced mushrooms with the ground beef, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Mince the onion and garlic, also using the food processor and add 1 tablespoon of that mixture to the meatball mixture.
5. Line a cookie sheet with foil and shape tablespoon and a half size meatballs with your hands or a cookie scoop and place them on the cookie sheet. Bake them in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until brown and release from the foil easily when you try to lift them off with a spatula.
6. While the meatballs cook in the oven, add the olive oil to a large saucepan over a medium heat and sautee the minced onion and garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper.
7. When that has softened, after about 4-5 minutes, add the balsamic vinegar, beef broth, and stewed tomatoes. Break the tomatoes up using the spoon so that they are bite-sized pieces.
8. Put the lid on the pot and let it simmer while the meatballs cook in the oven.
9. When the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the pot and stir gently. Let them simmer together for 10 minutes.
10. Just before serving, add the two cups of fresh baby spinach. If you like, serve with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

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Cheese-Stuffed Sweet & Spicy Mushroom Meatballs

These Cheese-Stuffed Sweet & Spicy BBQ Mushroom Meatballs make the most delicious appetizer for your next potluck or party – just make sure to have plenty of these on hand because you’ll run out quick!

Recipe and photo by Taylor of The Girl on Bloor.

Prep Time: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 15 mins. | Serves: 20 meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 package button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 small yellow onion, grated
¼ cup parmesan cheese
¼ cup breadcrumbs
2 tsp ketchup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 egg
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
10 mini buffalo mozzarella or bocconcini balls, sliced in half
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 cup sweet and spicy BBQ sauce

20 toothpicks for serving 

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for cheese, olive oil, hot sauce, honey and BBQ sauce.
2. Take about 1-2 tbsp of meatball mixture and form it around each cheese ball half.
3. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan on med-high heat, then add meatballs. Fry for 10-12 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked and browned on the outside.
4. Meanwhile, mix hot sauce, honey and BBQ sauce together.
5. Remove meatballs from heat, then transfer to a large bowl. Toss in BBQ sauce mixture until fully coated.
6. Serve immediately on a platter with toothpicks inserted. Meatballs can also be prepared ahead of time and reheated in a 375F oven for 15 min.

 

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