Mushrooms add nutrition, flavor to ground beef dishes

•  1/2 pound cremini or white button mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 buns

1. Finely dice mushrooms or gently pulse in food processor.

2. In skillet, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium-high heat and add mushrooms, sauteing 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.

3. Transfer cooled mushrooms to medium bowl. Add ground beef and salt, mixing until combined. Make 4 patties.

4. Add remaining olive oil to pan and cook burger patties on medium-high heat until desired doneness. Plate and add desired toppings to bun.

Topping recommendations: feta cheese, Romesco sauce, sweet peppers and sauteed red onions.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 578 calories, 43 grams fat, 24 grams carbohydrates, 24 grams protein, 96 milligrams cholesterol, 853 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber, 67 percent of calories from fat.

Mushroom Council

• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
•  1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1 red pepper, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 head Boston lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped cashews (optional)

1. In food processor with metal blade, pulse mushrooms, onion, garlic and ginger until finely chopped. Add ground beef; pulse until combined.

2. In large, nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushroom mixture, thyme, oregano, mustard, minced garlic and dried onion. Cook, stirring often, 10 minutes, or until browned.

3. Stir in red pepper, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and vinegar. Simmer 5 minutes; remove from heat. Serve in Boston lettuce leaves garnished with shredded carrots and chopped cashews.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 234 calories, 14 grams fat, 15 grams carbohydrates, 14 grams protein, 39 milligrams cholesterol, 436 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber, 52 percent of calories from fat.

Mushroom Council

•  1/2 pound mushrooms
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 package chili seasoning
• 1 can beef broth
• 1 can (15.5 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 cup medium salsa
• 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Cilantro

1. In food processor with metal blade, pulse mushrooms until finely chopped.

2. In large saucepan, brown meat and mushrooms with chili seasoning.

3. In another saucepan, mix broth, kidney beans, tomato paste, salsa and macaroni. Bring mixture to boil and cover. Simmer on low 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. When noodles are al dente, stir in browned meat and mushrooms. Serve topped with cheese, sour cream and cilantro.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 280 calories, 10 grams fat, 29 grams carbohydrates, 18 grams protein, 39 milligrams cholesterol, 543 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber, 33 percent of calories from fat.

Mushroom Council

Tacos:

•  1/4 pound 85-percent lean ground beef
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3/4 pound white button mushrooms
• 3/4 pound cremini mushrooms
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 cups julienned sweet onions
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 tablespoons ground chili pepper
• Lime juice, to taste
• 1 cup shredded green cabbage
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 8 corn tortillas
• 4 tablespoons avocado salsa verde (recipe below)
• 4 tablespoons cotija cheese, grated

Avocado salsa verde:

• 1 large, ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into  1/2-inch dice
• 1/3 cup diced tomato
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon seeded and minced serrano chili
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar

1. Heat saute pan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef; season with salt and pepper. Saute 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown.

2. Chop mushrooms to size and texture of ground beef and saute in separate pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil. 3-5 minutes. Combine mushrooms and meat and set aside.

3. Heat pan used for ground beef over medium-high heat. Add remaining olive oil and onions; saute until golden brown. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add mushroom and beef mixture and chili pepper. Saute 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and lime juice.

4. Toss shredded cabbage with salt, pepper, lime juice and cilantro.

5. To make Avocado Salsa Verde, combine all salsa ingredients and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

6. To serve, place 2 tablespoons shredded cabbage on tortilla and top with 2 tablespoons of mushroom and beef mixture. Top with 1 tablespoon avocado salsa verde and sprinkle with cotija cheese.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 217 calories, 12 grams fat, 22 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams protein, 13 milligrams cholesterol, 78 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber, 48 percent of calories from fat.

Mushroom Council