Roasted Mushrooms

Roasted mushrooms have a wonderful savory flavor. Mushrooms are low calorie and very nutritious.

Mushrooms bring a savory flavor to meals without adding much fat, calories or sodium. But the health benefits don’t stop there. Researchers continue to uncover how mushrooms can ward off chronic disease and improve your everyday health.

Health Benefits of Roasted Mushrooms

Some of the health benefits of mushrooms are that they:

• Decrease the risk of cancer.
• Lower sodium intake.
• Promote lower cholesterol.
• Protect brain health.
• Provide a source of vitamin D.
• Stimulate a healthier gut.
• Support a healthy immune system.

This recipe for roasted mushrooms kicks up the taste with the addition of coffee and hazelnuts.

Pan Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Coffee and Hazelnuts

One of the best parts about autumn is the appearance of wild mushrooms. A sudden dip in temperature coupled with excess moisture is enough to coax these fungi out of hiding.

Hen of the woods, porcinis, chicken of the woods, oyster mushrooms, and chanterelles are just a small sampling of the varieties available—free of charge—to the discerning woodland forager.

But even if you aren’t trained to mushroom-hunt on your own, wild mushrooms tend to pop up in markets when cooler weather approaches.

Here is a simple recipe that highlights the natural nutty, earthy qualities of wild mushrooms. Pan-roasting results in crispy edges but tender, juicy interiors.

To complement the earthy and savory notes of these mushrooms, we make a quick sauce of coffee and soy sauce. The bitterness of the coffee brings out the bitterness of the mushrooms, so that the mushrooms taste even more…well, mushroom-y.

To provide some textural contrast and sweet, buttery notes, we add in toasted hazelnuts, plus a nice dusting of grated hazelnuts for that fancy, restaurant-quality vibe.

For best results, look for varieties such as hen of the woods, chicken of the woods, oyster mushrooms, or butter oyster mushrooms.

For the sauce, a light to medium roast coffee works best; dark roasts tend to be too bitter for this application.

Pan Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Coffee and Hazelnuts

Ingredients (serves 2):

• 1/4 cup brewed coffee
• 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 10 ounces wild mushrooms, separated into 2- to 3-inch pieces
• Salt and pepper
• ¼ cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped, plus extra whole for serving

1. Whisk coffee, soy

Preparation:

Whisk coffee, soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch in small saucepan until combined. Bring mixture to simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce is clear, slightly thickened and coats back of spoon, 1 to 2 minutes. Cover and set aside.
Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms and cook until first side is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, flip mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are heated through and lightly browned, about 3 minutes longer. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper to taste.
To serve: Spoon coffee sauce on plate and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts. Arrange mushrooms on top and grate extra hazelnuts over mushrooms. Serve.
Tips:
For a less caloric version of this recipe, use a spray oil or cut down on the amount of oil. You could also roast them in the over or an air fryer.