mushrooms and onions

I made a large batch of caramelized onions and mushrooms and used it in different ways over the week. To make the caramelized onions and mushrooms, first obviously I thinly sliced lots of onions and 2 packages of mushrooms. I used white button and baby bella mushrooms. Heat up a lot of olive oil and once it is hot, add the onions and mushrooms. Meanwhile mince some garlic cloves and add it to the pan. Add salt and pepper and keep stirring on medium-low heat. This is going to take a while. In the meantime, I cut up strips of green bell peppers and also de-seeded and sliced jalapeños. I used the jalapeños for a bit of kick and also coz I had to use them up. The onions and mushrooms will reduce to more than half their original size and will look all brown and caramelized. At the last min, add the peppers and jalapeños.

Armed with this batch, the first thing I made was pasta. I made a beautiful white sauce. Add some flour to heated olive oil and butter, stir it till the flour is cooked. Slowly add milk and keep stirring to avoid lumps. I also add a little bit of water to the sauce. The sauce will thicken and will be smooth and silky. Add salt, pepper, chili flakes and italian seasoning. Thats a flavorful white sauce! Cook up some spaghetti in boiling water and pre heat the oven. Layer some white sauce on the bottom of the pan, add some of the onion mushroom mixture, some more sauce, spaghetti and the rest of the sauce. Top with grated cheese if you want. I just don't keep cheese on hand these days since we are trying to avoid it. Heat it up in the oven till the cheese melts and you are in for a treat.

The second thing we had was subs with the onions and mushrooms. I bought some sub rolls from the bakery at the local grocery store along with swiss cheese. Some things just need the cheese. ;) Cut up the subs and layer the swiss cheese slices and heat it in the oven till the cheese melts. Layer some lettuce leaves and add the onion mushroom mixture on the subs. Top with sliced avocados and some of the leftover white sauce. Thats the second treat.

The last of the onions and mushrooms got used in a frittata which is a type of Italian omelette. It is a big fat omelette which is generally cooked first on stove top and and then broiled in the oven. But since I don't have a oven safe skillet, I did all the cooking in the oven. Add a little bit of milk into a bowl and break eggs into it. I used 5 egg whites and one whole egg. Beat the eggs with salt and pepper. Add dried parsley leaves and of course the onion and mushroom mixture. Pour into greased baking dish and top with swiss cheese. Cook it for 15 mins at 350 F oven and broil for 2 mins after that. Remove from the baking dish and cut into wedges or layer on some sliced bread.

I loved all the three dishes. I think its because I really like mushrooms cooked this way. Anurag was not a fan of the frittata. Not really sure why. Out of the three, the pasta was really a star recipe. I had also made an asian inspired spaghetti where I used a bit of this mushroom mixture but it was not the focal point as in the above recipes. But that was some lip smacking and easy dish to make. Chopping was the hardest part. If you use the coleslaw mix, this can be made in minutes. I had to cut up cabbage, bell peppers, onions, spring onions and carrots. Heat up some oil in a pan on high heat. Add onions and garlic. Keep the heat high and keep stirring. Add the cabbage, carrots. Add some salt and pepper and stir till the cabbage is slightly cooked. Add cubed tofu, caramelized mushroom and onions, peppers, frozen peas and spring onions. Thats a lot of veggies compared to the amount of spaghetti but I like it that way. Meanwhile, find some time to make the sauce. Heat a little bit of peanut butter in the microwave, add soya sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice. I also added a sesame orange asian sauce. Mix it up and keep tasting to add more of what you like till you love the sauce. Add this sauce and cooked spaghetti to the cooked veggies. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and spring onion greens.

I did not take any pictures this time. I am just bored of taking pictures before eating. And I have not written about my trips too. We had gone to Niagara falls and Gatlinburg,Nashville. But I didn't write about it. Bored of that too!

Till I get inspired enough to write a post....bye!!