EASY CREAMY SPEEDY MUSHROOM PASTA (and the Health Benefits of Mushrooms)
Unless I'm entertaining I don't have too much time to spend in the kitchen. I'm all about preparing quick, nutritious meals. So I've developed quite an array of tasty, healthy, and quick recipes with easy-to-find ingredients. Here is one of them:
But, before I get into the recipe I want to share some insight on the many benefits of mushrooms, as per Dr. Joseph Mercola.*
"Mushrooms contain some of the most powerful natural medicines on the planet. Nine recently presented studies on mushrooms detail a wide variety of health benefits, including: improved weight management, improved nutrition, increased vitamin D levels, and improved immune system function.
One of the active medicinal compounds found in Cordyceps has been identified as a potential cancer drug. More recent studies suggest it also has potent anti-inflammatory characteristics that may be helpful for those suffering from:
asthma,
rheumatoid arthritis,
renal failure, and
stroke damage
It's important to eat ONLY organically grown mushrooms because they absorb and concentrate whatever they grow in. Mushrooms are known to concentrate heavy metals, as well as air and water pollutants, so healthy growing conditions is a critical factor
Mushrooms that can help boost the nutrient content of your diet include: shiitake, reishi, cordyceps, turkey tail, and Himematsutake
Adding Mushrooms Is a Simple Way to Boost Your Health Through Your Diet
"With all the evidence supporting mushrooms as little powerhouses of potent nutrition, I highly recommend adding some to your diet. They're an excellent addition to any salad and go great with all kinds of meat and fish. "Let food be thy medicine" is good advice indeed, and with mushrooms that is especially true, as they contain some of the most powerful natural medicines on the planet.
(Again), just make sure they're organically grown in order to avoid harmful contaminants that mushrooms absorb and concentrate from soil, air and water."
Easy Creamy Speedy Mushroom Pasta
INGREDIENTS (serves 2)
pasta of choice (I use Felicetti organic whole grain spelt spaghetti)
1 tbsp Ghee (or butter)
1 tbsp organic virgin olive oil
2 - 3 garlic buds finely sliced
organic sliced mushrooms of choice (I used crimini** )
1/4 cup white wine (or chicken or vegetable stock)
1 tsp kosher or corse salt for pasta water
Himalayan or sea salt to taste
1/2 tsp or more pepper
1/2 to 1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1/4 cup grated fresh grana padano (or parmesan) cheese divided (optional)
fresh basil torn (or parsley)
** Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of many minerals including copper, selenium and phosphorus. They are also an excellent source of B vitamins including vitamin B2, niacin and pantothenic acid. In addition, crimini mushrooms are a very good source of potassium, zinc, vitamin B1 and manganese.
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, pepper, and dried oregano and cook until soft, about 1 minute. Add the sliced mushrooms and salt and sauté about 2 minutes. Add white wine and cook another 3 minutes. Add 1/2 the grated cheese and mix.
Before draining the pasta reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain pasta and toss in the pan with the mushroom sauce. If pasta is too dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water. Divide in bowls and top with rest of grated cheese and sprinkle with basil. Serve with a smile :)
Bon appetit!
For a FREE 45-minute Health History Consultation contact me at janelle@janelleallard.com
Source: Mercola.com http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/13/mushroom-benefits.aspx
* Dr. Joseph Mercola is a world-leading health expert, award-winning, published author. Full bio: http://www.mercola.com/forms/background.htm)
