Portobello Mushroom Roast

Food is so much more than just food in our family. Food is a time where we sit each evening and say grace, spend quality time and converse about our day. Food is nostalgia: holidays, celebrations and events - they all revolve around food.

I grew up in a small town that had a fair each thanksgiving long weekend. The smells of the fairground and the roasted turkey in the oven is what I think of when I think of thanksgiving. The smells of all holidays actually... My parents did not have a lot of money but they always made sure that every holiday was special. Traditions, memories and of course tons of good food.

When I became a Mother, I wanted only the best for my children, as we all do. My husband and I made a life changing decision to alter our diets in hopes to make even a small difference in the world for our newborn baby.

Transitioning a food addict to a new healthier diet was as simple as it sounds... Not at all! I had a near heart attack walking into the health foods store the first time; attempting to meal plan without the 3 staples to every meal that I grew up KNOWING was the only way to eat. "How will I cook a meal with no meat?" The thought made my eyes fill with tears.

It's funny now, looking back. It was difficult to navigate but not impossible. I realized that you can't just quit cold turkey (get it?). My husband and I would then take baby steps. Learning a new way of cooking and eating. Not only a new way but a healthy way where we would still be getting all of our proper nutrients. This was especially important as I was nursing my daughter at the time.

Five years later and I feel like a pro at times. The meals that I have learned to make finally replicate that of what I grew up. It feels incredible to give my children the same as what I got or better - smells and all!

Portobello Mushroom Roast Recipe -

1) Portobello Mushrooms (one per person)🍴 Wild Rice or Potatoes (whatever filler you would like best with your "roast"). Normally I would do a mashed potato or add mini red & purple potatoes in with the veggies BUT this time I chose to do wild rice🍴 Mixed vegetables you would typically put into a roast - on most given days we would do: broccoli, red bell pepper, onion, carrot, green beans and chick peas. Or ya know....whatever vegetable scraps are left in the fridge - ha!

Marinate Ingredients -->

Fresh herbs and Spices (again very preference based): minced White Onion, minced Garlic, Tamari, Thyme, Smoked Paprika, Sage, Himalayan salt and an organic steak seasoning spice I purchased at a health foods store. Coconut oil is what I used for the sweetness but any oil or butter will work. Mix together in a small bowl.

2)🍴 Prep all your spices by rinsing and mincing the fresh ones first then adding both the fresh and dry herbs/spices to your preferred oil and tamari.🍴 Prep Mushrooms - set stems off to the side for gravy - and then marinate caps in your marinate (place in fridge for an hour or so before cooking and save 1/2 for later

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3) 🍴 Prep your veggies 🍴 Place vegetables into a roasting pan and add 1/2 cup of water or just enough to cover the bottom, sprinkle in salt. Add mushroom caps on top upside down and cover with the rest of your marinate

!!While roast is baking in the oven, start your mashed potato or wild rice; as well as your gravy (see gravy recipe below)!!

4)🍴 Cook for 45 minutes stirring vegetables once in between and turning over caps🍴 Broil for remaining 5 minutes or until cap tops are browned.

🥄Gravy - butter, flour, minced garlic, minced white onion, vegetable broth, minced mushroom stems, salt and pepper

🥄In a sauce pan on med low, melt a fair amount of butter (or vegan butter), add in stems, garlic and onion, salt/pepper. Sautee until soft and slowly sprinkle in flour while continuously stirring, slowly add in broth and continuously stir. Adjust with more flour or broth to achieve a thick or thin sauce as you please.

Another super simple sauce is to boil cauliflower, salt and water. Once cauliflower is soft, blend. It sounds blan but I promise it is so delicious! Add in a vegan or cheddar cheese and you have yourself the best and easiest 3 ingredient sauce EVER!