7-Minute Healthy Sautéed Crimini Mushrooms

Enjoy this easy-to-prepare recipe that complements many of your favorite dishes and is a great addition to your Healthiest Way of Eating. You will also be enjoying a rich source of health-promoting selenium, vitamin B12, and copper along with the great flavor of crimini mushrooms.

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb medium crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 3 TBS low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• Mediterranean Dressing
• 3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 medium cloves garlic
• sea salt and pepper to taste
• Optional:
• 2 TBS fresh rosemary
• few drops of tamari soy sauce
• Serve with sautéed onions, green peas, or almost any of your favorite vegetables.

Directions:

1. Chop or press garlic and let sit for 5 minutes to enhance its health-promoting properties.
2. Heat 3 TBS broth over medium heat in a stainless steel skillet.
3. When broth begins to steam, add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 3 minutes. They will release liquid as they cook. As crimini mushrooms are not as watery as other button mushrooms, it is best to stir constantly for the last 4 minutes. The liquid will evaporate, and the mushrooms will become golden brown but not burned.
4. Transfer to a bowl. For more flavor, toss crimini mushrooms with the Mediterranean dressing ingredients(and any of the optional ingredients you would like to add) while they are still hot. The dressing does not need to be made separately.

Serves 2

Healthy Cooking Tips:

• To prevent overcooking crimini mushrooms, it is best to use a timer.
• To melow the flavor of garlic, add garlic to crimini mushrooms for the last 2 minutes of sautéeing.

© 2001-2009 The Geor

Food of the Week . . . Crimini Mushrooms

Did you know that a 5-ounce serving of crimini mushrooms contains only 31 calories and is a great source of all of the B vitamins? B vitamins are essential for reducing cholesterol levels, helping to prevent Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease, and for energy production. Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin, as well as a very good source of thiamin and vitamin B6, and a good source of folate, all of which are B vitamins necessary for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) plays at least two important roles in the body's production of energy. It is part of a molecule that allows oxygen-based energy production to occur. It is also necessary for the recycling of glutathione, an internally produced antioxidant that protects our energy-producing mitochondria from oxidative damage. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) also plays an important role in the prevention of fatigue since it supports the function of the adrenal glands, particularly in times of stress. Niacin (vitamin B3) is necessary for the conversion of the body's proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into usable energy. Although most of us enjoy mushrooms as a tasty addition to many recipes, we seldom recognize them as a powerhouse of nutrients. So, enjoy crimini mushrooms as a part of your Healthiest Way of Eating, not only for their great flavor, but also for their energy-boosting nutrients!