Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Marinated Mushrooms

Marinated Mushrooms

This make-ahead Italian-style dish is ideal for summer entertaining

During the lazy days of summer we want to be, well, lazy. But we still want to entertain. So we look for dishes that are easy to make, preferably ones we can prepare ahead of time.

Enter these Italian-style marinated mushrooms. Flavored with olive oil, lemon, and vinegar, they make a wonderful appetizer or side dish. And they taste better when made several hours ahead, or even the day before serving. They’re also delicious when cold or at room temperature – so they’re perfect for the picnic table.

Plus they taste really good! Kind of addictive, actually. Magic mushrooms, you might say.



Marinated Mushrooms

Recipe: Marinated Mushrooms

This dish (and its close relations) can be found throughout the Mediterranean region, although it may be most popular in Italy. There are countless recipes for marinated mushrooms. Ours is based on one by Martha Rose Shulman, from her wonderful cookbook Mediterranean Harvest.

It takes no more than half an hour to make this dish. Then you’ll want to let the flavors mingle together in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Better yet, overnight.

This recipe yields enough appetizer-size servings for about 8 people (or half that number if serving it as a side).

Leftovers keep for a couple of days if refrigerated in an airtight container.

Ingredients
  • 1 pound mushrooms (the ordinary white ones work well; see Notes)
  • 2 garlic cloves (or to taste)
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons wine vinegar (something mild; see Notes)
  • black pepper to taste (about a dozen grinds for us)
  • salt to taste (about ½ teaspoon kosher salt for us, or half that if using regular table salt; see Notes)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons parsley for garnish
Procedure
  1. Wipe any dirt off the mushrooms with a damp paper towel. If the mushrooms are small, you can leave them whole. If they’re medium-sized or large, cut them into halves or quarters. Set aside.
  2. Peel the garlic and mince it finely. Set aside.
  3. Cook this dish in a large, nonreactive skillet: Add the minced garlic to the skillet along with the olive oil, lemon juice, water, vinegar, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
  4. Add the mushrooms to the skillet and return to a simmer. Cook, turning once, until the mushrooms are tender – about 5 minutes (depending on size). When done, remove the skillet from the heat and let the mushrooms cool in the liquid.
  5. When cool, pour the contents of the skillet into a nonreactive container (we like to use a Corning Ware bowl with a lid). Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  6. When ready to serve, wash and stem the parsley. Chop it roughly, then combine it with the mushroom mixture. 
  7. Remove the mushrooms from their container with a slotted spoon and place them in a serving dish. Sprinkle a bit more parsley on top if you wish. We usually serve this dish with small forks, but toothpicks work equally well.
Marinated Mushrooms

Notes
  • What kind of mushrooms to use in this dish? Any variety will work, although we prefer the ordinary white ones. Baby portobellos are a good choice, too.
  • Stem the mushrooms or not? Your preference. We usually don’t.
  • You can add fresh herbs to this dish if you’d like. Thyme or rosemary are particularly welcome. Use maybe a teaspoon or so. Oregano or marjoram would probably work too.
  • What kind of vinegar works best? Any sort of mild wine vinegar. We prefer to use a white variety, and often opt for Champagne vinegar. Sherry vinegar would be nice, too.
  • We’ve seen recipes for this dish that suggest adding capers. We haven’t tried that, but it sounds good.
  • For cooking, we use kosher salt, which is about half as salty by volume as table salt. That’s because its crystals are larger and don’t pack a measure as tightly. If using regular table salt, start with about half as much as we recommend.
  • But always season to your taste, not ours.
Marinated Mushrooms

Mushroom Cloud

“Yum,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “These are even better than those funny mushrooms of our youth.”

“Those were some psycho shrooms,” I said. “But these go better with a glass of chilled wine.”

“Plus, I don’t need to dig out my old tie-dyed jeans to enjoy them,” said Mrs K R.

“Those bell-bottom ones?” I said. “It would be a trip to see those again.”

“Yeah, they would open your third eye,” said Mrs K R. “Or maybe just inspire a third helping.”

Far out.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Pickled Watermelon Rind
Mediterranean White Bean Dip
Grilled Pineapple
Pimento Cheese
Candied Bacon
Jalapeño Black Bean Dip
Or check out the index for more

76 comments:

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

I have a recipe for pickled mushrooms that is similar to this and they're SO GOOD. But mine doesn't use red pepper flakes--that sounds like a necessary addition for next time :). These look great!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, the red pepper flakes add a tiny bit of heat. Which we always welcome. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

Yes, the Mediterranean food world is full of marinated mushrooms! I like the French version, which is called champignons à la Grecque -- meaning Greek mushrooms. They have tomato, coriander seeds, and cilantro, as well as your lemon and garlic. Great summer idea.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, aren't these nice for summer? I've had champignons à la Grecque, but have never made them. I need to! Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

Addictive for sure, love, love mushrooms and this recipe is a must try. 5:00, G&T and mushrooms, yum!!! Thanks!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Oh I have not eaten these marinated mushrooms in so long, thanks for reminding me of their existence and I<ll be trying this soon for sure. Magic mushrooms lol.

Pam said...

I have never made marinated mushrooms. YUM! They look terrific John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, these are wonderful with cocktails! Ask us how we know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, I've had these on our list of stuff to make for the blog for years. Glad we finally got around to it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, these are a fun dish -- they really are terrific. Thanks for the comment.

Angie's Recipes said...

I adore mushrooms and actually just had some roasted for the lunch. Can't wait to try this marinated version. Thanks, John, for sharing another great treat.

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

Mmmmm these are a perfect little snack to have while enjoying cocktails and waiting for dinner.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, mushrooms are so tasty, aren't they? One of our favorites! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, heck, these could BE dinner! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) said...

Perfect! I have a couple of marinated mushroom recipes and love them. Glad to find another version.

Terry / Blue Kitchen said...

This sounds perfect for summer—cold, fresh and earthy, with the tang of the lemon juice and vinegar. Must try this. Thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lea Ann, marinated mushrooms are good! Can never have enough recipes for them. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terry, these are perfect summer fare -- full of flavor, easy to make. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning said...

I imagine how flavorful these are and perfect for a cheese board.

Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen said...

I love mushrooms and I can imagine how tasty this must be

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, these would be great on a cheese board! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Peachy, mushrooms have so much flavor, don't they? Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

Have not had this in ages so thanks so much for the reminder. Great dish to have about as it is a great side to dish to many dishes. The fresh citrus and sparkle to the dish is the taste I remember when growing up.

Dahn @savorthebest said...

yummy! I never get tired of mushrooms. For the first half of our marriage, my husband would never touch them but when I taught him how to hunt for chanterelles, he suddenly became a mushroom eater.

Velva said...

Your marinated mushrooms would be delightful with martinis on the porch. Thanks for sharing.

Velva

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, this is one of those dishes that used to be pretty popular, but I don't see it much these days. But so good! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, mmm, chanterelles! Who wouldn't become a mushrooms eater with fresh wild chanterelles? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Velva, these are a great cocktail nibble! Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

Oh Yay! I've always want4ed to try marinating mushrooms and you have truly inspired me to quit procrastinating. These look quite delicious. Thanks John!

Anne in the kitchen said...

Going to be making these soon. Thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, you're welcome. :-) You'll like these. Plus you can spice them up much more than I've done. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, you'll love them! Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

I agree, this is a good dish for summer.

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Jeff, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Chef Mimi said...

These are wonderful - perfect for an antipasti platter. or is it antipasto? one is singular and one is plural, but I can never remember which is which. Anyway, this is the only way I'll eat chilled or room temp mushrooms!

GiGi Eats said...

What's weird about me is ... I don't like mushrooms but I also like them. I am weird. Sometimes I dislike them but if they're accompanied by other things, they're okay. Shittake mushrooms and those other weird ones don't agree with me though. If they are snuck into my diet in some way... LIKE CLOCKWORK I will wake up at mid-night and throw up!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mimi, antipasti vs antipasto is a good question! I just looked it up -- antipasto is singular, antipasti plural. You'd think it'd be antipasti, but I always see it used as antipasto. Anyway, thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, given your mushroom preferences, I'm betting you wouldn't like this! More for Landon. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Emma - Bake Then Eat said...

What a lovely dish for a picnic, I bet these mushrooms are so flavourful.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, these really do have a nice flavor. They disappear quickly. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

I love marinated mushrooms but haven’t made them in years. Your recipe looks so good, thanks for reminding me.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, I know about the years part! This is a recipe we all know (at least a version of it), yet never make for some reason. Worth doing it again! Thanks for the comment.

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

Salads for dinner are a big part of our summer menus. These scrumptious mushrooms would add a great pop of flavor to all those healthy greens.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, there do indeed have a great pop of flavor! Good term. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Tricia Buice said...

I can think of a dozen ways to use these mushrooms! They look and sound delicious John - and since I'm already a fan, a must try recipe for me :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, LOVE mushrooms! And this recipe really let's their flavor shine. :-) Thanks for the comment.

sherry said...

yum this sounds so delicious! i must make them soon. i'm always surprised when people say they don't like mushies. heathens!:=) cheers S

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, heathens indeed! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oooh, I've never met a mushroom recipe I didn't love. And your marinated mushrooms sound incredible---I'd definitely toss in some capers!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, marinated stuff is so excellent, isn't it? Mushrooms are exceptional when prepared that way! Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

I am imagining all the ways I can serve these mushrooms. Definitely my kind of recipe.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, dishes like this are so versatile, aren't they? So many possibilities! Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

I would totally make a big batch of these to throw into salads during the week or to even just sneak out of hand right out of the fridge. ;)

Lydia from Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen said...

Perfect for munching along with some wine and cheese. Nice job!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, better make a double batch -- you'll sneak at least one batch out of hand. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lydia, these are perfect with wine and cheese. And/or cocktails. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

The perfect treat. I really love mushroom, these sound amazing.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, they're really good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

This is one of those flashback recipes for me. Marinated mushrooms were something I made quite often before I knew much about cooking when I was asked to "bring something". My youthful version wasn't nearly as sophisticated as this one. I'd probably never heard of "red pepper flakes" in those days. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, we hadn't made this recipe for years before we decided to do it for the blog. Well, actually we decided to make this for Memorial Day -- just because -- and then decided to put it on the blog. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Vicki Bensinger said...

I know I posted a comment about these mushrooms but apparently it didn't go through. So I'll repeat.....

I love mushrooms but never think to turn them into a marinated salad. I love this idea. It's perfect for so many dishes or just to heat on its own. Great recipe!

Ansh said...

Mushrooms are my forever first love.Glad to find a wonderful recipe to make ahead.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Vicki, the Blogger platform can be a bit twitchy with comments sometimes. :-( Anyway, mushrooms have such a nice flavor! Love 'em. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ansh, one can never have too many mushroom recipes! ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons said...

Oh these look luscious, John! I love tossing marinated mushrooms into salads. But honestly, I think I could eat the entire bowl! Thanks for sharing this great recipe! :)

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

So true John, these are perfect for entertaining as they are very easy to prepare. I always serve marinated mushrooms as part of an antipasto platter when I have friends over for an Italian dinner. I agree with you about adding fresh herbs, I put a little fresh thyme in mine.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, it's pretty easy to eat an entire batch of these. Before getting around to serving them. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Karen, fresh thyme is terrific in these! Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

My mother made these way back when but with canned mushrooms. They were not magical. They were scary. These are not! Thank goodness for I can finally see the light!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, I'll bet those were scary! Canned mushrooms have such a weird texture -- can't imagine this dish made with them. Well I guess I can, but -- to repeat -- it's scary! :-) Thanks for the comment.

handmade by amalia said...

I also have a horror of canned mushrooms :-) Yours look lovely and, indeed, perfect for summer entertaining.
Amalia
xo

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amalia, these mushrooms are much better than canned. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

I would love nibbling on these ones

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, they're really hard to resist! :-) Thanks for the comment.

amira said...

Ooh I love that, this dish is new to me and it is very tempting to try. Me and hubby love mushrooms.. and we have a little one who will be excited about it as well. Thanks

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, LOVE mushrooms! So good, aren't they? Thanks for the comment.