2010 November « (y)our food choices™

Soba noodles, mushrooms, prosciutto and carrots.

Buckwheat soba noodles are a terrific departure from the standard semolina pasta most of us have on hand. These Japanese noodles are relatively easy to find in your local markets. They’re nutritious, fast cooking and good hot or cold. We love them in soup and in salads. Their nutty flavor pairs equally well with ingredients from the east and west. In this version, the noodles are treated like Italian pasta, perfect with prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, garlic and olive oil. The epicurious.com version of this recipe includes a fried egg atop each serving of noodles.

We eat mushrooms regularly, but we rarely stray from the very common white button or brown crimini mushrooms so readily available in every market. It’s a shame given how easy it is to find exotic “wild” mushrooms in these parts. We’re mesmerized by the variety available at Far West Fungi’s Ferry Building Marketplace stand (visit their website to get the low down on your favorite fungus). The trumpet mushrooms used here in place of the fried egg came from the 22^nd and Irving produce market in our neighborhood. I happened upon them on my way to the checkout counter and couldn’t resist their beauty. They were unblemished and seemed to be begging to go home with me. I saw this impulse buy as an opportunity to experiment with a mushroom variety that seems to be increasingly available in the market and on menus everywhere.

I can’t take credit for the idea to lightly batter and pan fry these mushrooms, so all due credit to Cook Almost Anything guest blogger Huan who does a terrific job of describing the pan-fried mushroom dish. Huan gives inspiration credit to the good folks of Church Street Enoteca in Sydney.

Breading and pan-frying mushrooms can’t possibly be “new” but this beautiful preparation was certainly new to us. Like so many spur-of-the-moment weeknight dishes, what follows is a simple improvisation that combines two of our favorite foods. Give it a try and make it your own!

Herb-Crusted King Trumpet Mushrooms

1 egg, beaten

1 tbsp whole milk

½ cup fine dry breadcrumbs

¼ cup parsley, finely chopped

2 tbsp freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese

8 to 10 oz. King Trumpet mushrooms

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp unsalted butter

Beat the egg with the milk in a shallow, flat-bottomed bowl and set aside.

Combine breadcrumbs and parsley in the bowl of a small food processor and process until parsley and crumbs are just blended. Add the grated cheese and process again just until well mixed. Turn the breadcrumb mixture out onto a plate and set aside.

Cut the mushrooms lengthwise into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick slices. Place the mushroom slices into the egg mixture and coat well. Shake off excess egg and dredge or coat the slices in the breadcrumb mixture and set on a clean plate or baking sheet in a single layer. The crumbed slices can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for several hours.

To cook, heat oil and butter in a non-stick skilled over medium high. Working quickly and in batches, cook the mushroom slices for two or three minutes on each side or until they’re a golden brown. Remove them from the pan and set them on paper towels to remove any excess oil.

If you’re enjoying these mushrooms as a side dish on their own, grate additional cheese over them while still hot and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Soba Noodles with Carrots and Prosciutto

1 9.5-ounce package of soba noodles

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided

5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

3 ounces prosciutto, cut crosswise into thin strips

2 large carrots, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks, approximately 2 to 3 inches long

½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese

Cook soba noodles as suggested on the packaging. Reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid, drain noodles and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

In a large, non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir, cooking just until fragrant. Add prosciutto strips and cook until slightly crisp. Remove and set aside on paper towels to drain.

Return non-stick skillet to the heat and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add carrots and cook just until they start to get a little bit of a sear. Add noodles and a tablespoon of the reserved cooking liquid to deglaze the pan and steam the carrots a bit. Add prosciutto and garlic to the noodles and cook over medium heat until heated through.

Remove the skillet from the heat and add the grated cheese and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and toss to coat. Plate and serve topped with the herb-crusted trumpet mushrooms and a sprinkle of cheese. Serve it hot!

Not our typical cocktail; water, honey, tangerine juice, and chia seeds.

We’ve all seen those Chia Pet commercials, and you may have even received one as a secret Santa, white elephant or gag gift at some point. It’s a mystery why anyone thought we needed terra cotta animals that you spread magical seeds over the top of to watch them sprout and grow. Have you ever wondered where those seeds come from and if they could have other uses besides being a pop culture flash back to early-80’s décor?

We first learned of chia seed consumption from Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run. In it, McDougall describes the Tarahumara Indians, a hidden tribe that lives in Northern Mexico’s Copper Canyons area. If they aren’t drinking their other favorite refresher – corn beer – they’re drinking a chia seed concoction called Iskiat or chia fresca. They make chia fresca out of those As Seen on TV chia seeds, also known as Salvia hispanica, which they mix with water, sugar and a squeeze of lime. It’s refreshing, if a bit textured. Before, during, and after runs, the Tarahumara recharge by eating Pinole – chia, corn meal, some form of sugar and cinnamon – kept in pouches at their waists. The chia seeds are high in protein and fiber that will keep any long distance runner feeling full without feeling bloated.

Ch-Ch-Ch Chia

Once the seeds mix with water or fruit juice they become gelatinous. It’s similar to the gel packs that runners use when they need a quick jolt of energy on long runs. The seeds are very healthy, full of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and amino acids. The seeds themselves have been around in culinary use for hundreds of years used in baking, in drinks, or eaten raw. They can even be sprouted and added to salad and sandwiches in lieu of alfalfa sprouts. We add them to fruit and yogurt smoothies, sprinkle them on top of yogurt and fruit, and add them to our oatmeal.

Our running habits have been a bit hit or miss this year. Every night we plan to wake early for a quick morning jog, but end up sleeping too late for even a quick morning stretch before Steve has to get on his first call of the day. Then, at night, during our free time, we’re either too tired, hungry, thirsty, or lazy to get out the door and into the park for a good run. It’s the end of the year and our lives are about to change for the better. Time for a fresh start. As Madonna sings, “Are you ready to jump? Get ready to jump.”

We ask, “How high?”

Even if you’re not a runner you should give these seeds a try. Who knows, you might even start sprouting green hair on top of your head!