Feature Friday: Concerned about Immunity?

Your immune system is your body’s first line of defense against disease and infection. A healthy immune system is important at every age. A strong immune system helps protect against infections from bacteria and viruses.

There are many ways you can keep your immunity boosted. Getting enough sleep, keeping stress levels in check, exercising every day and being at a healthy weight will go a long way to maximize your wellness. Good nutrition is also essential for maintaining the immune system in top shape. Including a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods in your diet gives your body the nutrition it needs to help protect against illness and lower the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Fresh Mushrooms Can Help!

Boosting Immunity with Mushrooms

• A 2006 study found that the beta-glucan, a polysaccharide that is part of the soluble fibre found in mushrooms, had potential anti-inflammatory activity, which may help protect the body against disease.


• Mushrooms extracts may also stimulate different cells of the immune system.

Vitamins and Minerals

• A 2000 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that elderly subjects who were deficient in vitamins and minerals, including selenium, zinc, vitamin B6 and folate, also had fewer and less effective natural killer cells.


• A ½ cup serving of uncooked, white button mushrooms is a good source of niacin, copper, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. You’ll also get some vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate and zinc.

Adding up the Antioxidants

• Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in mushrooms that may also help protect the body’s cells. Ergothioneine is found in both raw and cooked mushrooms.

Looking for more information on how mushrooms boost your immune system? Check out these news stories:
- Boost your immune system ~ Calgary Herald
- Ten flu-fighting foods ~ Chicago Tribune
- Eat these foods and feel better ~ Freep

posted by Brittany
photo: evah, sxc.hu

Mushrooms Are Great with Beef

Mushrooms and Steak. They go together like... well, mushrooms and steak!

Take a look at this mouthwatering recipe that was sent over to me from the Beef Information Centre.

Glazed Beef Medallions with Mushrooms

This classic combination of steak and mushrooms is ready in minutes. With a little forward thinking, you can use Marinating Medallions and marinate before cooking (see Cook's Notes).

Ingredients
¾ cup(s) (175 mL) barbecue sauce
2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp (5 mL) crumbled dried rosemary
1½ lb (750 g) assorted mixed mushrooms (such as button, crimini, portabella, shiitake or oyster)
1 sweet onion, cut into wedges
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
1½ lb (750 g) Beef Strip Loin Grilling Medallions (about six), 1 inch (2. 5 cm) thick

Method
1. Combine barbecue sauce, lemon juice, garlic, green onions and rosemary in bowl. Remove 1/4 cup (50 mL) for basting.
2. Cut mushrooms and into large chunks, keeping oyster mushrooms whole. Toss with onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Pan-fry in butter in nonstick skillet over medium heat for about 12 minutes or until slightly caramelized and liquid has evaporated. Stir in remaining barbecue sauce mixture; heat through.
3. Meanwhile, season medallions with salt and pepper to taste. Grill over medium-high heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium-rare, brushing with reserved sauce occasionally. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve each topped with pan-fried mushrooms.

Cook's Notes: If using Marinating Medallions, pierce meat all over and marinate in 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the basting sauce for 8 to 12 hours in fridge. Discard sauce used to marinate and grill as above, skipping the basting step.

If you like this simple recipe you might also like these from the Mushrooms Canada Library:
• Ginger Beef and Mushroom Stir-Fry
• Sautéed Steak with Port Mushroom Sauce
• Vietnamese Beef and Mushroom Soup

posted by Brittany

Feature Friday: Mushrooms Canada Fall Newsletter

Fresh out today is the latest edition of the Fresh. Simple. Good. Newsletter.

In this Fall edition you will find:
• Entertaining Made Easy with Mushrooms.
• Feature Video: French Mushroom Soup.
• Mushrooms and Your Health: Sodium? Not in Mushrooms!
• "Watch for Us" telling you exactly where Mushrooms Canada will be in the coming months.
• Looking for a way to stay warm this Fall? Try our creamy French Mushroom Soup.

You can also check out past issues of our Award Winning Newsletter by visiting the "Newsletter" page on the Mushrooms Canada website.

posted by Brittany

Mushrooms Canada’s Video Contest Challenges Student Chefs to “Make it with Mushrooms"

Ontario Community Colleges participate in third annual mushroom recipe competition.

GUELPH, ON – New and unique were the two attributes that came to mind when Mushrooms Canada designed the third annual “Make it with Mushrooms” Student Chef Challenge. After two successful years, Mushrooms Canada decided on a format change that was unique, innovative, and never done before; a video submission.

Community Colleges from all across Ontario were invited to participate. Cambrian College in Sudbury, Canadore College in North Bay, Conestoga College in Waterloo, Fanshawe College in London, Georgian College in Barrie, Humber College in Toronto, and Niagara College in Niagara have accepted the challenge.

“This year’s challenge is distinctively different than last years, as we have removed the cook-off portion and replaced it with a video submission,” says Mushrooms Canada Marketing Manager Brittany Stager. With the demand for online cooking videos rising, Mushrooms Canada sees this challenge as a unique way to highlight fresh Ontario Mushrooms, and for the Colleges’ Culinary programs to showcase their students, culinary abilities, and facilities.

“I like the new format, especially the video idea - it is a great way to connect with our technology savvy students and work with other departments of the college such as Broadcasting,” says Fanshawe Colleges Culinary Program Coordinator Patrick Hersey.The Student Chefs will compete for a chance to win a $1500 team scholarship, a $1500 donation for the Colleges’ Chef Training Program, and the title “Make it with Mushrooms Masters.” The winning team’s video production group will also receive a prize of $600.

Each team of Student Chefs will submit one Main Course recipe video featuring the star ingredient; fresh Ontario mushrooms. Submissions will be judged on the basis of Presentation, Taste, Simplicity, Consistency, Originality, Nutrition, Story and Video Production. The team with the highest score will be named the “Make it with Mushrooms Masters.”

Contest entries are due by November 13th 2009, and the "Make it with Mushrooms Master" will be named by December 1st, 2009.

This will be the third year Mushrooms Canada hosts the Make It with Mushrooms Student Chef Challenge, and hopes to make it a National Challenge in 2010. “Nurturing the skills of today’s youth and tomorrow’s influencers is very important to Mushroom Canada” states Mushrooms Canada’s Executive VP, Bill Stevens. “Working with the student programs at Ontario’s community colleges has proven to be a successful strategy to achieve this goal.”