By Peggy Kotsopoulos • September 20th, 2011

Hail to the shroom! Who knew these tasty fungi stimulate your immune system boost and regulate disease-fighting white blood cells so that they are ready to attack against whatever comes its way.

Garlic Mash

• 1 small cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp ground cumin 

Steam cauliflower and parsnip until tender, approximately 10 minutes. Add to blender with remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. 

Mushroom Gravy

• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1cup Mataki mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup Shataki mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup Crimini mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup Button mushrooms, chopped
• ½ tsp ground chia seed
• 1 cup veggie stock or water
• Sea salt to taste

Heat coconut oil on medium heat.  Add garlic and mushrooms and sautee until mushrooms have browned.  Add half the mushroom mixture to blender and blend until smooth.  Add ground chia and continue blending until well combined.  Pour into bowl and stir-in remaining mushrooms. 

Kebabs

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 2 Portobello mushrooms, cut into 1” pieces
• 2 red peppers, cut into 1” pieces
• 1 red onion, cut into 1” pieces

Preheat grill or barbeque and soak eight large wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic and sea salt; set aside.  Thread a piece of Portobello mushrooms followed by a piece of red pepper and a chunk of red onion. Repeat until the skewer is full. Repeat threading the remaining vegetables onto the rest of the skewers. Brush skewers with olive oil and garlic marinade and grill, turning occasionally, until warmed through. Serve immediately with Garlic Mash and Mushroom Gravy. Serves four.

Peggy Kotsopoulos is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who empowers people to live a vibrant and healthy life by encouraging them to make healthier lifestyle and dietary choices that are realistic and delicious! Peggy is the resident nutritionist on CBC’s Steven and Chris Show and has also been featured on CBC News, CityTV and Virgin Radio.

Location:  Toronto, CA

Peggy Kotsopoulos is principal of beVibrant wellness consulting. Peggy is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Health Educator, and Culinary Consultant focused on teaching REAL health through lifestyle and dietary choices that are easy and delicious! Over the...