Feature Friday: Holiday Entertaining Made Easy with Mushrooms

Enjoy all the season has to offer, and surprise your guests with a tasty mushroom appetizer.

With holiday season in full swing, have you thought about what appetizers to serve at your next get together? Why not fresh Canadian mushrooms? Fresh mushrooms are easy to prepare, flavourful, elegant, and are sure to keep your guests entertained before dinner.

Mushroom Fondue
Fondue is back. Especially the melted Swiss cheese version served with fresh mushrooms, whole or halved. Skewer and dip mushrooms (whites and browns are delicious) into your favourite cheese fondue mixture. Serve with dry white wine and let the conversation begin.

Mushroom Bruschetta
Need something that you can prepare ahead? Combine 2 cups chopped assorted mushrooms with minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, fresh basil, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and pepper to taste. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Spoon onto lightly toasted slices of fresh bread. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Broil until mushrooms are cooked and cheese melts.

Mushroom Dippers
Use fresh whole or thick sliced mushrooms for dipping instead of crackers or chips. They’re nutritious, great for the calorie conscious and delicious.

Mushroom Kebabs
Thread mushrooms onto several bamboo skewers; brush with oil and broil, turning often. Remove mushrooms from skewers onto platter. Serve hot, with a ranch style dressing for dipping. Tasty and simple.

No matter what recipe you use, your guests will be not only entertained but also amazed by the versatility of the mushroom.

posted by Brittany

Having Dinner with a Vegan this Holiday?

Will you be having dinner with a vegan this holiday? You might be thinking that it could be a little tricky, but don't you worry, Lucy Waverman has it all figured out!

She has come up with a fabulous Holiday Feast, fit for a vegan king. And of course it features the meaty portabella mushrooms as a healthy (vegan friendly) alternative to turkey.

Take a look at this mouthwatering menu:

- Roasted Portabella Mushrooms with Chestnut Stuffing
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds
- Chocolate Cake

You can find all the delicious recipes on the Globe and Mail Website.


posted by Brittany

Check Us Out: Mushroom News Online

Check Us Out: Mushroom News Online brings together all the interesting and delicious mushrooms stories from the web to one place. Get all your mushroom info right here!

News Finds:

A luscious vegetarian answer to Christmas turkey
Thanksgiving and Christmas are challenging times to say “No thanks” to meat. Let Luisa D'Amato convince you that her Crispy Fried Tofu with Mushroom Ragout is the way to go this holiday season.

‘Tis the season for vitamin D
Foods rich in vitamin D, like salmon, tuna, mushrooms, soymilk, eggs and fortified cereals, are sensible sources as well. These foods will also help to increase serotonin levels, which will help stabilize your mood and energy.

Seven savvy ways to keep your immune system boosted
This fall, many of us are looking for ways to keep our immune systems strong and healthy, so be sure to throw some mushrooms into the mix.

Portabella-layered mashed potatoes
Basil-flavoured portabella mushrooms add a taste of Italy to this mashed potato casserole - a perfect side-dish for the holiday season.

Video Finds:

Richard Gere's Bedford Post Inn Chef cooks up mushroom holiday appetizers

Fighting Breast Cancer with Mushrooms

Blog Finds:

The Girls Who Ate Everything's Stuffed Mushrooms

Kathryn of Just Eat It's Pot Roast with Mushrooms and Tomatoes

posted by Brittany

Please note that links provided will redirect to another website. Mushrooms Canada does not endorse or take any responsibility for content provided on such websites.

Canadore College Student Chefs Win the 2009 “Make it with Mushrooms Masters” Title

Canadore’s Mushroom Cannelloni recipe and cooking video wowed the judges in the Third Annual “Make it with Mushrooms Student Chef Challenge.”

“Creamy, elegant and surprisingly easy to prepare,” says Clare Jones, home economist, nutritionist, and judge in this year’s Make It With Mushrooms Student Chef Challenge. “The team from Canadore College certainly brought their A-game when creating both their written recipe and corresponding cooking video.”

Similar to last year, this year’s challenge was extremely close with only a few points separating the first, second and third place winners, but in the end Canadore College claimed the title.

The Canadore College student chef team, consisting of Ryan Stencill and Isaac Bonfield, joined by video team Matthew Fraboni and Jeff Chattaway, worked under the direction of their course director Derek Lawday to create an elegant, yet simple recipe; Canadian Mushroom Cannelloni in a Goat Cheese Tarragon Cream Sauce.

Judging was based on a set of criteria that tested the student chefs’ culinary skills; taste, presentation and originality. Also included in this year’s challenge was a video submission. Videos were judged on a set of criteria including delivery of messages, originality and entertainment.

As the winning team, Canadore Collge was awarded a certificate recognizing their achievement as well as a $1,500 grant for their program, $1,500 for the student chef team, and an additional $600 for the video team.

“We plan to contribute our winnings towards our education and future competitions,” says the Canadore Student Chef team. Course Director Derek Lawday says the grant money will be used to “purchase equipment and offset travel to other competitions.”

The second place winners, Fanshawe College, were awarded a $1,000 grant, $1,000 for the student chef team, and $350 for the video team for their flavourful Fresh Ontario Mushroom Cheddar Burger with Roasted Peppers, Sweet and Sour Shallots, Chipotle Mayo and Portabello Fries.

Third place winners, Georgian College, were awarded a $500 grant, $500 for the student chef team, and $200 for the video team for their hearty and satisfying Mushroom Stampeder Dip with Sweet and Spicy Potato Chips.

This was the third Make It With Mushrooms Student Chef Challenge conducted by Mushrooms Canada. Seven community colleges accepted the challenge back in September, and each submitted a mushroom recipe and cooking video.

“This year’s challenge was distinctively different than last years, as we had 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.

Watch the rest of the “Make it with Mushrooms Student Chef Challenge” videos on the Mushrooms Canada YouTube Channel.

To Print the Canadian Mushroom Cannelloni in a Goat Cheese Tarragon Cream Sauce Recipe Click Here.

posted by Brittany

Mushrooms Canada Survey

Mushrooms Canada would like to thank all the people who took the time to take our Fresh Mushroom Survey.

As promised, the first 150 people to fill out the survey received a $10 Gift Card to either Tim Horton's or Canadian Tire. So, congratulations to:

Anna H. from Winnipeg, Manitoba
Brian S. from Barrie, Ontario
Al H. from Amherstview, Ontario
Harold R. from Regina, Saskatchewan
Patricia S. from Waterloo, Ontario
Glenna W. from LaHave, Nova Scotia
Fatima S. from Calgary, Alberta
Cathy M. from Sarnia, Ontario
Paul S. from Woodstock, Ontario
Gisele D. from Hanmer, Ontario
Ruth P. from North York, Ontario
Ashley C. from Victoria, British Columbia
Michael V. from Wallaceburg, Ontario
Lindsey H. from Saint John, New Brunswick
Joanne A. from Calgary, Alberta
Amy from Windsor, Ontario
Anne P. from Gloucester, Ontario
Brian B. from Oakville, Ontario
Joanneussan H. from Lethbridge, Alberta
Pamela H. from Kitchener, Ontario
Susan G. from Kitchener, Ontario
Randi M. from Kakabeka Falls, Ontario
Jennifer D. from Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Carol M. from Burlington, Ontario
Mary Ellen K. from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Ada S. from Stephenville, Newfoundland
Jessica D. from Palgrave, Ontario
Anne G. from Brampton, Ontario
Danielle H. from Brampton, Ontario
Karla O. from Kanata, Ontario
Mona B. from Beloeil, Quebec
Patty S. from Hamilton, Ontario
Barry P. from Ottawa, Ontario
Phyllis M. from Montague, Prince Edward Island
Debra B. from Cherry Valley, Ontario
Betty B. from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Jujne L. from Windsor, Ontario
Bob B. from Pickering, Ontario
Marie M. from Janetville, Ontario
Gary D. from McGregor, Ontario
Colleen M. from Middleton, Nova Scotia
Bernice L. from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Melody F. from Nanaimo, British Columbia
Dawn B. from King City, Ontario
Treena C. from Nipawin, Saskatchewan
Linda B. from Oshawa, Ontario
Lee N. from Winnipeg, Manitoba
Jay K. from Trenton, Ontario
Alison F. from Thornhill, Ontario
Colleen from Hamilton, Ontario
Joy from Sudbury, Ontario
Kari D. from Moncton, New Brunswick
Catherine F. from Dundas, Ontario
Rob M. from Harrow, Ontario
Josie R. from Toronto, Ontario
Wendy M. from Kincardine, Ontario
Janice S. from Markham, Ontario
Dalton W. from Fenwick, Ontario
Barbara M. from Toronto, Ontario
Marilyn S. from Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
Lorena V. from Mississauga, Ontario
Marilyn B. from Chester, Nova Scotia
Shirl S. from Mt.Brydges, Ontario
Todd M. from Richmond Hill, Ontario
Lisa T. From CBS, Newfoundland
Will T. from Oshawa, Ontario
Barbara W. from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Kim F. from Hare Bay, Newfoundland
Keith G. from Parry Sound, Ontario
Ellen W. from Janetville, Ontario
Elaine T. from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Doreen C. from Cobourg, Ontario
Margaret O. from London, Ontario
Brenda C. from Scarborough, Ontario
Kenneth B. from Napanee, Ontario
Anita S. from Baxters Corner, New Brunswick
Taban N. from Greely, Ontario
Erin from Iron Bridge, Ontario
Wendy H. from Midland, Ontario
Brenda J. from Elora, Ontario
Christina S. from Toronto, Ontario
Michelle C. from Halifax , Nova Scotia
Shane M. from Kingston, Ontario
Dan T. from Dundas, Ontario
Gloria M. from Noel, Nova Scotia
Jean S. from Shakespeare, Ontario
Debbie G. from Grand-Barachois, New Brunswick
Donna M. from London, Ontario
Teresa H. from Duncan, British Columbia
Bonnie from Quispamsis, New Brunswick
Debbie B. from Thamesford, Ontario
Margaret S. from Toronto, Ontario
David M. from Toronto, Ontario
Tom R. from St-Peters Bay, Prince Edward
Cathy A. from Glen Williams, Ontario
Kim T. from Orillia, Ontario
Linda R. from Toronto, Ontario
Helen R. from Courtice, Ontario
Dianne H. from Port Elgin, Ontario
Carol P. from Orleans, Ontario
Maureen T. from Toronto, Ontario
Heather from New Maryland, New Brunswick
Mary-Ellen F. from Burlington, Ontario
Georgina H. from Brockville, Ontario
Silke F. from Kitchener, Ontario
Stephanie from Scarborough, Ontario
Anne T. from Burlington, Ontario
Beverly M. from Cobourg, Ontario
Marlene D. fro LaSalle, Ontario
Ella W. from Burlington, Ontario
Krista S. from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Nancy L. from Ange-Gardien, Quebec
Shannon S. from Hamilton, Ontario
Carla C. from Toronto, Ontario
Carol from Surrey, British Columbia
Paivi L. from Toronto, Ontario
Connie P. from Kitchener, Ontario
Brenda R. from Nepean, Ontario
Cindy C. from London, Ontario
Linda D. from Bathurst, New Brunswick
Josee L. from Toronto, Ontario
Louise B. from Chertsey, Québec
Monica M. from Montreal, Quebec
Lee A C. from Tignish, Prince Edward Island
Mary B. from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
David R. from North York, Ontario
Roseanne C. from Toronto, Ontario
Mary Jane from Miramichi, New Brunswick
Clayton V. from Bell Island, Newfoundland
Gord S. from Trenton, Ontario
Sherry B. from Miscouche, Prince Edward Island
Shannon M. from North Bay, Ontario
Carol D. from Bowden, Alberta
Carol G. from Oshawa, Ontario
Laura R. from Willowdale, Ontario
Lynda K. from Richmond Hill, Ontario
Michele F. from Mississauga, Ontario
Chrissy M. from Windsor, Ontario
Gary E. from St.Thomas, Ontario
Deborah M. from St. Jacobs, Ontario
Noelle L. from Bear River, Nova Scotia
Edith R. from Surrey, British Columbia
Colleen M. from Toronto, Ontario
Lori W. from Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia
Cynthia R. from Cambridge, Ontario
Alana L. from St Andrews West, Ontario
Ken C. from North Bay, Ontario
Diane B. from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Bonnie C. from Brampton, Ontario
Janet G. from Scarborough, Ontario

Mushrooms Canada also conducted one Grand Prize draw for a $150 Gift Card from all the completed surveys. The winner of the Grand Prize is:

Louise Gilbert, from Quesnel, British Columbia

We thank you once again for filling out the survey. Look for more opportunities to participate in the new year.

posted by Brittany

Did You Know...

that Mushrooms Canada has their very own group on Flickr?

That's right, now you can join in the fun by sharing your delicious recipes and recipe photos with our Make it with Mushrooms Group! It's all for the love of mushrooms!

Here's a little sampling of what has been submitted so far...

Head on over and join us Mushroom Lovers now!

posted by Brittany