Anniversary

Sunday, June 1, 2014


Andrew and I are celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary today, and went out to dinner last night. Andrew took the selfie above to commemorate the occasion. He did a little better last night than on Mother's Day, when he was trying to figure out his new camera phone. Instead of taking a photo, he took a video - shot sideways - with him saying "I'm pretty sure that one worked out."

When you've been married for twenty-three years, it's important not to get into a rut. And it's important not to let yourself get into a cooking rut, either. Keeping a blog since 2010 has encouraged me to try new recipes, from new cookbooks, and has helped me stay out of that rut. Fast, Fresh and Green, by Susie Middleton, is one of my favourites. It has a great selection of wonderful ways to serve vegetables, that just might make your side dish the star of your meal. Andrew absolutely loves these mushrooms, and I do too. I'll be serving them tonight, for our anniversary dinner at home.



Mahogany Mushrooms


1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp dark brown sugar
2 tsp ketchup
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp water

1 Tbsp unsalted butter (first amount)
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound cremini mushrooms (quartered if large, halved if small)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 Tbsp butter (second amount)
2 tsp minced fresh garlic

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and water.  Set the bowl near the stove.  Put a shallow serving dish near the stove as well.

In a 10 inch straight-sided sauté pan, heat 1 Tbsp of the butter with the olive oil over medium-high heat.  When the butter has melted, add the mushrooms and salt, stir right away, and continue stirring until the mushrooms have absorbed all of the fat.

Let the mushrooms sit and cook for two minutes, then stir once.  Don’t worry, the pan may look crowded and dry, but keep the heat up at medium-high.  Let it sit and cook, stirring infrequently (they will squeak when you stir them), until the mushrooms are shrunken, glistening, and some parts have developed a deep orange-brown colour, about 10 minutes.  (The bottom of the pan will be brown.)

Turn the heat down to low, and add the garlic and remaining 1 Tbsp butter.  Stir and cook until the butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Whisk the soy sauce mixture again and very carefully add it to the pan.  You’ll need to scrape out the brown sugar, but don’t stand directly over the pan as there will be sputtering.  Stir and cook just until the liquid thickens slightly and coats the mushrooms, 15 to 20 seconds more.  Quickly transfer the mushrooms and all of the sauce to a serving dish. 

*
And this outtake shows maybe he doesn't have the camera entirely figured out yet:
Happy anniversary, Andrew!


27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely! Happy Anniversary.

Angie's Recipes said...

Happy Anniversary to you and Andrew, Beth!

Claudia said...

Happy Anniversary! I love the selfie (including the outtake) and love, love the mushrooms. Right up my savory-loving alley! Yay for not getting in ruts!

Julie said...

Happy Anniversary! I can't quite get the selfie down easier!!

Debra Eliotseats said...

Hadn't laugh at that last selfie. I love mushrooms and this recipe sounds delicious. I am imagining it over some pasta or soba noodles. Thanks, Beth.

Debra Eliotseats said...

Sorry---"Had to laugh....." Also, forgot to say happy anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary! That looks like a great way to prepare mushrooms.

Valerie Gamine said...

Happy Anniversary!! You both look marvelous. xo

ehehe!! Love the camera conundrum...happens to us all. :D

Sue said...

Happy Anniversary! Looks like you two have fun together, and know how to eat well:)

Jessica Lawson said...

We love mushrooms! I'll have to try these :) Happy Anniversary!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Happy Anniversary! So important to keep celebrating.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Happy anniversary to you both! I'm not sure Bill even knows what a selfie is, so Andrew is at least one up on my hubby ;)

Katerina said...

Happy anniversary to you both Beth! It needs a lot of work to keep a marriage alive! I am happy for you!

Joanne said...

Happy anniversary!!!

Anonymous said...

Cute picture. Happy anniversary!

Display name said...

Happy anniversary!!!
Great looking mushrooms...

ela h.
Gray Apron

Kitchen Riffs said...

Happy Anniversary! Fun picture. Great recipe -- this would not only make a great side, but stick toothpicks in them and you have a fun party appetizer, too. Good stuff -- thanks.

grace said...

cute outtake! while i don't love mushrooms (or even like them), this is a neat idea! happy anniversary to you. :)

Juliana said...

Happy Anniversary Beth...the mushrooms look delicious!
Enjoy the rest of your week :D

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary Beth to many more years of marital bliss... I have not ever prepared mushrooms this way and it sounds so delicious, will have to give that a try. Take Care, BAM

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

You guys are so cute.. happy anniversary to you both!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Happy Anniversary! We celebrated our 29th on June 1!

nancy at good food matters said...

Congratulations to you both! (love the outtake!)

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary! Congrats on 23 years, that is so amazing! I LOL'd so hard at the "I'm pretty sure that worked out" commend from your husband. Too funny. I love the selfie AND the outtake!

Anonymous said...

A VERY VERY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! :-)

Daniela Grimburg said...

Happy anniversary to both of you, you are such a cute couple and to celebrate such an important anniversary is a true blessing!

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Dear beth, Happy Anniversary to the two of you!!!

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