Mushroom, Apple and Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash

Recipe developed in partnership with Ontario Apple Growers.

Prep Time: 10 mins. | Cook Time: 45 mins. | Serves: 8

Ingredients

4 small-medium sized acorn squash, seeded, cut in half lengthwise
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
8 oz (227 g) fresh mixed mushrooms (portabella, shiitake, oyster), coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, thinly diced
2 Ontario apples*, peeled and finely diced
3 tbsp (45 mL) butter
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
1 cup (250 mL) vegetable stock
½ cup (125 mL) walnuts, roughly chopped
1 small loaf of day-old sourdough or French bread, cut into ¼ inch cubes (approximately 5 cups)
*Tip: Use Ontario Idared, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Empire apples.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
2. Cut acorn squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Season the inside with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake about 30 minutes or until soft.
3. Meanwhile, in a large sauce pan heat olive oil. Add mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add celery and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. Lower heat and add apples. Continue to cook until apples become tender, about 5 minutes. To the pan add butter, sage, and vegetable stock. Heat just until butter is melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Place chopped walnuts and diced bread in a large bowl. Pour warm vegetable stock mixture over bread. Using your hands toss the bread until it is well coated and most of stock is absorbed.
5. Remove squash from oven and turn it cut side up. Divide the stuffing among each squash half; spoon the stuffing into the cavity of each squash until filled. Return to 350°F/175°C oven and bake until stuffing is golden brown, approximately 15-20 minutes.
6. Serve hot alongside a festive ham or weeknight roast chicken.

 

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Mediterranean Mushroom-Stuffed Tomatoes

Well, when I was an exchange student living in Belgium, one of my host mothers’ specialties was tomatoes stuffed with a delicious mix of pork and beef mince and baked until tender – so tasty and warming on a cold winters’ day.  This recipe is a meatless version of this dish, with mushrooms as the star and works well in the warmer weather too. It’s also quick and easy to prepare and very versatile – I’ve included the vegetables I usually use with this, although you could just use what’s on hand.

Recipe courtesy of Mardi from eat. live. travel. write.

Prep Time: 10 mins. | Cook Time: 40 mins. | Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 medium-large tomatoes
4 teaspoons table salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups mixed fresh mushrooms (e.g. a mix using 2-3 varieties – white button, crimini, portabella, shiitake, enoki, oyster or king oyster), diced
½ large zucchini, finely diced
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence or mixed herbs (eg: oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary)
½ cup cooked pearl barley or wheat berries
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
salt and pepper, to taste
olive oil, for drizzling
Optional: fresh herbs for serving

Method

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Slice the tops off the tomatoes, reserve these as “lids.”
3. Scoop out the flesh and juice of the tomatoes into a bowl and mash until pulpy. Set aside.
4. Sprinkle the inside of the tomatoes with the salt and turn upside down on a paper towel to drain excess juice.  Set aside.
5. Heat the oil in a large frypan over medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms, zucchini and herbes de Provence until “al dente” (you’re going to cook this mixture again in the oven so you don’t want to overcook at this point).
6. Add the reserved tomato flesh and the pearl barley/ wheat berries and stir to thoroughly combine.
7. Add the egg and Parmesan, stir well and remove from the heat.
8. Season to taste.
9. Rinse the salt out of the tomato halves and pat dry with a paper towel.
10. Fill the tomato halves with the mushroom mixture – packing tightly by pressing on the mixture with the back of a soup spoon.
11. Place the tomato halves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
12. Place the tomato tops on each tomato, sprinkle with a little olive oil and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes until the filling is hot and the tomato flesh is slightly softened.
13. Optional: you can remove the tops from the tomatoes and sprinkle with some fresh herbs, replacing the tops to serve.
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Blended Turkey Meatloaf

The secret ingredients to this classic meatloaf is the addition of finely chopped mushrooms; they make it more flavourful and moist.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Mushroom Council.

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

Ingredients

½ lb. mushrooms, finely chopped
1 lb.  lean ground turkey
1/2 small onion, finely diced
½ tsp garlic & herb seasoning
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
3 tbsp mustard
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/3 cup ketchup

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine mushrooms, turkey, onion, seasoning, breadcrumbs and egg; mix until evenly combined. Form into lightly greased loaf pan.
3. In a small bowl mix together mustard, sugar and ketchup.
4. Pour sauce over top of meatloaf, spreading until even. Cover with foil.
5. Bake for 60 minutes, or until cooked through.
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Blended Turkey Avocado Mushroom Burger

These juicy turkey burgers are extra satisfying when blended with 50% mushrooms and topped with fresh, creamy Avocados and Swiss cheese.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Mushroom Council.

Prep Time: 10 mins. | Cook Time: 25 mins. | Serves: 6

Ingredients

½ lb.  mushrooms, finely chopped
1 lb.  lean ground turkey
1 tsp Mexican seasoning
1/2 small onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
1 cup baby spinach
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
5 hamburger buns
Toppings: Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickles

Method

1. Place the mushrooms in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until finely chopped.
2. In a large bowl combine mushrooms, turkey, seasoning, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs and egg; mix all ingredients until incorporated. Form into 6 patties (1/3 lb), and cook either on the barbecue or on the stove-top until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
3. Place patty on warmed bun and top with sliced avocado, spinach, tomato and red onion.
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Blended Shepherd’s Pie

This updated version of shepherd’s pie is a a blend of ground beef, chopped mushrooms and mixed vegetables and topped with whipped mashed potatoes.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Mushroom Council.

Prep Time: 20 mins. | Cook Time: 1 hr.

Ingredients

4 large russet potatoes, cut into chunks
½ cup milk
½ lb.  mushrooms, finely chopped
1 lb.  lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic & herb seasoning
2 tbsp flour
½ cup beef broth
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, green beans, peas), thawed
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
¼ tsp salt
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large saucepan, cook potatoes in boiling water for 15-20 minutes, or until tender. Drain and return to saucepan. Add milk and mash until potatoes are smooth.
3. Place the mushrooms in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until finely chopped.
4. In a large skillet, cook meat, mushrooms, onion and seasoning until meat is no longer pink. Drain if needed. Stir in flour; cook and stir 1 min. Add broth, vegetables, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and salt; cook 5 min., stirring occasionally.
5. Spoon into 9×13 baking dish, cover with mashed potatoes.
6. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Remove from oven and top with shredded cheese; bake 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
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