'Shrooms: They're What's For Dinner Tonight

Eat more fish! Eat more whole grains! Use more olive oil! These are just a few of the things you'll often hear from up on high in the temples of nutritional wisdom. But eat more 'shrooms? Probably not so much.

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We really should, though, because mushrooms are nutritional powerhouses. Loaded with antioxidants, protein, vitamins, minerals, and yes, fiber, mushrooms have been shown to help boost immunity and prevent cancer. Super Mario wouldn't have been so super without them, and neither are we.

That's why this week we created eight original mushroom recipes for you to cook at home. Here are a few highlights:

  • Feast upon Carly Goldsmith's Mushroom Calzone, inspired by an old family recipe. She was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by chanterelles (as Tina Fey would say, "I want to go to there") but if they're out of season or hard to find where you live, just use your favorite variety of mushroom and it will still be delicious.
  • Also, don't miss out on Patricia Stagich's Broiled Portobello Mushrooms with Warm Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette. They're easy-to-make, delicious, and addictive. Stagich is a member of the Culinary Content Network, author of the blog Comfy Cook, and frequent Recipe SWAT Team participant.
  • Last but not least, make sure to try the winning recipe this week, Jessica Chou's Creamy Mushroom Risotto. She borrows a trick from Thomas Keller to make this risotto something truly special; check out the recipe to uncover his secret!

All of the recipes featured here can be made at home for about $45 or less, excluding the cost of small amounts of basic ingredients such as butter, oil, flour, sugar, salt, pepper, and other dried herbs and spices.

Will Budiaman is the Recipe Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow him on Twitter @WillBudiaman.