Small Dark Corner

It took years to make the connection. But once I did, holy moly, it was glaringly evident and in hindsight I have no idea how I missed it.

October faithfully arrives and I begin to crave
mushrooms.
On everything.
Mushroom burgers
Mushroom soup
Mushroom omelettes
Sauteed mushrooms
Grilled mushrooms
Marinated mushrooms
Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Google and I spent a few moments together to query my mushroom affections and you know what I found out?


Mushrooms have something which no other vegetables or fruit contain.
Vitamin D
Pretty awesome eh?
Those fantastic flavorful fungus that grow in dark and damp spaces are the only things in the produce section that contain the same vitamin that the sun provides. Natures irony.   I love it.

Be it true or coincidence that my machine knew, before my knowledge centre did, that Vitamin D  could be drawn from mushrooms and therefore kicked up the cravings, I will never really know. But my instinct says, "heck ya, the machine knew and good for me for paying attention"

The human body, as a machine, will always impress me by it's design and function. Always


For the fact finders, let me save you some time.

Here's the highlight reel of Mushrooms nutritional value:

Low in fat, calories, sodium and carbohydrates
Most have protein, and by dry weight, what one would consider high content, around 20-30%
They have fiber - and we all know fiber is your friend
Niacin and B Vitamins - B's are usually found in animal tissue, not vegetation.

My favorite Vitamin, Vitamin D, which can have a RDA content of anywhere from 4 to 13%  pending on variety.  The lowest being the white button mushroom, however, scientists have discovered when mushrooms are exposed to ultraviolet B radiation (light) the Vitamin D content goes up dramatically! I have even heard rumour of a company with a portobello with 100% of the RDA. Haven't seen it, but I've heard about it....

Copper (who would have thunk they would have copper??) - helps absorb oxygen and create red blood cells
Potassium, which keeps cells functioning properly and help regulates blood pressure. I read somewhere that a large portobello has more potassium than a banana! (mmm  a grilled marinated portobello with a smear of goat cheese)
The great antioxidant Selenium is found at a higher percentage than any other form of produce.  As well as other important minerals, phosphorous, zinc and magnesium

So you see, fellow SADists...er...SADites...mushrooms = goodness. Make friends with them.

Now, years after my 'discovery' I use my mushroom cravings as a seasonal early warning sign to start taking my Vitamin D supplements and indulge in some of my own tried and true comfort food.

Cream of Mushroom soup a la lazy.
Re hydrate your choice of mushroom blend - aim for a couple cups
  a mix of shiitaki, portobello, chantrelle and oyster would be awesome

Once mushrooms are rehydrated and drained
in a soup pot
saute (in butter with a little olive oil (oh yes!) one diced onion and the mushrooms.
add a clove or two of diced garlic (or cheat with roast garlic in a tube)
some salt and pepper
and saute until mushrooms are cooked.

then add a couple cups of broth (your choice - I usually use whatever is open in the fridge)
a can of cream of mushroom soup
stir
simmer 5 min or so
get the hand blender out, and cream that soup.
mmm, smells good.
too thick? add a little more broth
too thin? add another can of mushroom soup
now add a splash or two of soya sauce,  yup soya sauce, i recommend kikoman's

ta da.
soup done.
it's too easy to warrant all the complements i get...(i think (know) it's the soya, they just can't put their finger on the flavour *wink* )

 - if you do suffer from SAD, avoid the habit of bread with soup,
a couple croutons are fine but bread - don't even think about it
trust me, I'll explain later