Mushrooms are best and healthiest when cooked, as they release nutrients during the cooking process. They are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. They impart a taste known as umami, which is the 5th taste and is best described as savory. Mushrooms can be added to almost any dish. They are best stored in a paper bag in the fridge and can just be quickly rinsed and brushed off with your finger to clean. Here’s a recipe for lettuce wraps with a kick. The filling could be made in advance for a quick weeknight meal. I’d bet that mango would be a good substitute for the papaya if that’s more your flavor.
Jamaican Jerk Mushroom Lettuce Wraps with Papaya Salad
Yield: 24 wraps
Serving size: 1 lettuce leaf with ½ cup filling
Ingredients:
1 large head Boston lettuce
1 small onion, cut into ½-inch dice (divided)
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 lime, juiced 1 tablespoon
low sodium soy sauce
7 1/2 teaspoons olive oil (divided)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 teaspoons dried leaf thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 ounces oyster mushrooms, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 ounces button mushrooms, halved
Papaya Salsa:
1 large papayas, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoons chopped red onion
1 tablespoon chopped red bell pepper
1 tablespoon chopped green bell pepper
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
1/4 teaspoon dry red pepper flakes
Place ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Directions:
1. Remove 6 large lettuce leaves and set aside. Coarsely chop enough of the remaining lettuce to make 1 1/2 cups; set aside.
2. Place half the diced onion, half of the jalapeno, ginger, lime juice, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon olive oil, maple syrup, thyme, allspice, cayenne, nutmeg and cinnamon in a blender. Puree until well combined. Set aside.
3. Heat remaining 4 1/2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add mushrooms, remaining onion and jalapeño; cook 2 – 3 minutes, turning often with a spatula. Stir in the onion and pepper puree and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant.
4. Arrange lettuce leaves on large serving platter. Top each with about 1/4 cup mixed greens, 1 tablespoon papaya salsa (recipe follows) and about 1/4 cup mushroom filling.
Nutrition Facts (1 wrap with ½ cup filling): Calories: 178; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0g; Sodium: 119mg; Protein: 4g; Carbohydrates: 29g; Dietary Fiber: 6g
Recipe Courtesy of the Mushroom Council and mushroominfo.com