Portabello mushrooms are amazing and when they are baked with olive oil and then stuffed with an equally amazing kasha-based pilaf - flavored with carrots, and garlic - the end result is indescribable.
INGREDIENTS (for 4 servings):
- 4 large portobello mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 large carrot, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 2/3 cup kasha (toasted buckwheat groats)
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
PREPARATION:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Remove the mushroom stems from the caps, and set the stems aside. Place the caps gill-side up on a baking sheet. Drizzle them with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the pilaf stuffing. Chop mushroom stems. Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chopped mushroom stems and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in the cilantro, carrot, celery and kasha; cook 2 minutes more. Pour in water. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and place a lid on the pan. Simmer 20 minutes, or until the kasha is tender. Remove from the heat, and stir in parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Stuff the warm mushroom caps with the pilaf, and serve.