Budget cooking: mushrooms
Stretching your last bit of money just before your salary is deposited can be a challenge. You do want to eat well, after all. You can buy a punnet of mushrooms for a few euros, and it makes a delicious centerpiece for any evening meal.
Of course, you can splurge on morels or black trumpet mushrooms. But good ol’ button mushrooms are good enough for us. Especially in these dishes.
Mushroom toast
A French classic, essentially just mushrooms on toast. Though sautéed with shallot, garlic and thyme, and at the end you stir in a good spoonful of crème fraîche. With this recipe, your toast will be on the table in no time.
Ragout
We literally always crave a puff pastry shell filled with ragout. And not the canned kind from the supermarket, but homemade—and it’s very easy (just see for yourself). Always make too much, and eat the ragout with rice the next day.
Risotto
Mushrooms in risotto immediately give the dish that umami flavor. Use this recipe as a base; you can also add sage or replace the stock with mushroom stock.
Pasta
This sauce made with cream, mushrooms, garlic and herbs is ready while the pasta cooks. Ideal for weeknights, but decadent enough to serve to guests.
Burger
Craving a veggie burger? Mushrooms are perfect for making one. The recipe says to use portobello mushrooms, but button mushrooms work perfectly well here too. Add a nice soft bun and a smear of sauce and you’re all set.
Polenta
Eating alone tonight? With this recipe for soft polenta with mushrooms, spinach and an egg, you won’t make too much and you can enjoy eating it all yourself.
Soup
When it’s raining outside, this creamy soup is exactly what you need. Instead of the standard croutons, it’s topped with crunchy breadcrumbs with garlic and thyme, which finishes it off perfectly.
Asian
It may seem as though mushrooms go especially well with butter and cream. And they do. But they also pair very well with Asian flavors. Make this recipe with sautéed spinach, and with some rice on the side you’ll have a delicious meal.
