Oven-Roasted Mushrooms

  • 8 medium flat mushrooms
  • stalks trimmed
  • 40g baby spinach leaves
  • 100g Persian or marinated feta, drained, crumbled
  • 2 tbs fresh thyme leaves
  • Mashed potatoes, to serve
  • Balsamic dressing
  • 1⁄4 cup honey
  • 2 tbs balsamic vinegar
  • 1⁄3 cup olive oil

  1. To make balsamic dressing, combine all ingredients in a screw-top jar. Microwave uncovered on High for 20 seconds or until honey is melted. Secure lid. Shake to combine.
  2. Preheat oven to 200ºC. Place mushrooms, stem-side down, in a single layer (they might overlap slightly) in a large baking dish. Pour over half the balsamic dressing. Turn mushrooms and drizzle with remaining dressing. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Arrange spinach leaves over mushrooms. Sprinkle with feta and thyme leaves. Roast for 20 minutes or until mushrooms are just tender.

Serve with creamy mashed potatoes.

Sweet Soy Mushroom & Spinach Salad

  • 600g cup mushrooms, thickly sliced
  • olive oil cooking spray
  • 100g baby spinach leaves
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbs sesame seeds, toasted
  • sweet soy dressing
  • 1 tbs soy sauce
  • 2 tbs mirin
  • 1 tbs honey
  • 1/4 cup light olive oil

  1. Preheat a greased barbecue plate on high heat. Place mushrooms in a large bowl and spray generously with oil, tossing to coat.
  2. Barbecue mushrooms, tossing occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until golden. Transfer to a large bowl.
  3. To make sweet soy dressing, combine ingredients in a screw-top jar. Shake to combine. Drizzle dressing over mushrooms and gently toss to combine. Set aside for 20 minutes or until cooled.
  4. Add spinach, green onions and sesame seeds to mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

Freekeh Salad with Baked Flat Mushrooms

  • 2/3 cup freekeh, rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large flat mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 100 g Perino tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish
  • 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sultanas, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 70 g goats’ cheese or fetta
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

Preheat the oven to 200 C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Place the freekeh, water and salt into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and cook for 15 minutes or until tender. Refresh under cold water. Drain well and place into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Meanwhile, place the mushrooms onto prepared tray. Sprinkle with the garlic and thyme. Drizzle over 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender.

Meanwhile; add the tomatoes, onion, mint, parsley, sultanas, lemon juice and remaining oil to the freekeh. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Arrange salad onto a large platter. Dollop over goats’ cheese, scatter over the pomegranate and mint leaves. Top with the baked mushrooms.

Freekeh salad

  • 2/3 cup freekeh, rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 250 g diced mushroom
  • 100 g pernio tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish
  • 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sultanas, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 70 g goats’ cheese
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

Place the freekeh, water and salt into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and cook for 15 minutes or until tender. Refresh under cold water. Drain well and place into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Add the mushrooms, tomatoes, onion, mint, parsley, sultanas, lemon juice and remaining oil to the freekeh. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Arrange salad onto a large platter. Dollop over goats’ cheese, scatter over the pomegranate and mint leaves.

Make in advance and enjoy over a couple of days for lunch!

Vegetarian Blended Mushroom Burger with Slaw!

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 500 g diced mushrooms
  • 400 g can white beans, rinsed and drained, mashed well with a fork
  • 2 stalks rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • salt
  • black pepper

  • 4 brioche buns, toasted
  • mayonnaise, to serve
  • coleslaw, to serve
  • pickles to serve

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in large pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes or until softened. Stir through the mushrooms. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Set aside to cool.

Stir through the beans, rosemary, breadcrumbs, parmesan and egg. Season with salt and pepper. Using clean hands massage the mix together well.

Divide and shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties. Place onto a tray and into the fridge to firm up for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven 180 C.

Heat the remaining oil in large non-stick fry pan over a medium heat. Cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes on each side on until cooked through. Place onto a tray and cook in oven for a further 5 minutes or until warmed through.

Spread mayonnaise over the base of the toasted brioche buns, top with coleslaw, mushroom patty and pickle, top with the lid of bun.

Shepherd’s Pie

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 stalks rosemary, leaves finely chopped
  • 500 g diced mushrooms
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 400 g can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 tablespoon chilli flakes
  • 400g can of brown lentils, rinsed and drained
  • salt
  • pepper

  • 1 kg sweet potato, peeled and chopped
  • 70 g butter

Preheat oven to 200° C.

Heat oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery and rosemary. Cook for 5-7 minutes stirring until softened. Add mushrooms. Cook for a further 5-10 minutes or until softened and the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated. Stir through the stock, tomatoes, tomato paste, bay and chilli flakes. Bring to the boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for a further 10 -15 minutes or until the liquid has reduced. Stir through the lentils. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile; steam the sweet potato for 20 minutes or until tender. Place into a bowl, add the butter and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the mushroom mix to a 2 L baking dish. Spoon on the mashed sweet potato and smooth over.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Serve with a green salad.