Mushrooms in wonderland

July 9, 7:17 PMLA Farmers Market ExaminerVera Lewis

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Dreaming of mushrooms at the beach, photo by Vera Lewis

July in California usually means one thing – head for the beach. To that end we are fortunate to have Farmers’ Markets poised to please on the precipice of the shore. What can motivate a healthy diet more than the rolling waves, fit tan physiques with fresh fruits and vegetables so close at hand. The beach is as much a personality of California as the clogged 405, you can almost hear both of them talking to you when you have lived here long enough. The message of the beach is be fit, healthy and happy and the 405 tells us to hurry up and wait. Either way you are bound to get hungry and wonder what’s for dinner.

If you were at Redondo Beach Market today you may have stumbled upon the perfect solution. Portbella mushrooms, fresh and picked this morning, were on special 4 for $3. These lovable fungi are the perfect protein for dinner. You can grill them; simply paint with olive oil on both sides season with Italian seasoning or Mrs. Dash then grill open side down first for about 3 minutes then flip and cook on the other side. Grilled as such they are easily a sandwich filling with your favorite toppings, slice them into a salad or serve them as the main course with a fresh cucumber and tomato salad. While the waves danced on the shore you could have had a conversation about stuffing these beauties like the mini appetizers enjoyed at weddings only on a grand scale, serve with an simple Caesar and you have a culinary triumph fit for the best cafes along the Tour de France. Why stop there you needn’t cook them at all, shred over a salad, top with your favorite dressing or cut into spears for a crudités that will not be forgotten.

Mushrooms are not only naturally fat free but are surprisingly high in 3 B vitamins, vitamin d and potassium, so you can enjoy them with little to no guilt at all. Heck you can eve buy the button mushrooms and eat them in front of the TV as a popcorn replacement. There is nothing better than guiltless food. When you are buying mushrooms here are a few things to note: check to make sure they are even in texture, are free of a filmy coat and uneven dry spots as all of these will prove the mushroom is about to expire and will not be tasty. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days but opt for a paper bag over a plastic one and avoid anything being place on top for optimal appearance.