Portobello mushroom is widely available and flavorful fresh mushroom. Other types of mushrooms such as oyster, shiitake, or chanterelle, may also be used and delicious in this recipe. To make this a main course, some roasted or grilled beets, carrots, and red onions may also be added.

Ingredients

  1. 1 ½ pounds portobello mushrooms
  2. 2 tablespoons white balsamic or seasoned rice vinegar
  3. 1 tablespoon mashed roasted garlic
  4. 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  5. 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
  6. ½ cup olive oil
  7. Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  8. 4 cups mixed young tender savory greens, such as mizuna, arugula, watercress, and red mustard

Mustard seed vinaigrette (makes about 1/2 cup)

  1. 2 tablespoonsDijon mustard
  2. 2 tablespoon toasted whole mustard seeds 
  3. ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
  4. ½ cup fresh orange juice
  5. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  6. ½ cup olive oil
  7. Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Parmesan chips

  1. 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, dry Jack, or Asiago cheese, or a combination
  2. 2 teaspoons finely crushed cumin or fennel seeds

Preparations:

Stem the mushrooms and remove the black gills by scraping with a teaspoon. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, roasted garlic, rosemary, sage, and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Using a pastry brush, “paint” the mushroom caps liberally with the mixture. Set aside, lightly covered.

Toss the greens with some of the Mustard Seed Vinaigrette and arrange attractively on plates. Drizzle a bit more of the vinaigrette around. Grill the mushrooms quickly over hot coals or in a stove-top grill pan over medium-high heat. Slice the mushrooms thickly on the bias and arrange on top of the greens. Top with Parmesan Chips and serve immediately.

For the Vinaigrette:

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, mustard seeds, vinegar, orange juice, dill, and olive oil until just combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Prepare at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to marry.

For the Chips:

To prepare one chip on the stovetop: In a small bowl, combine the cheese and cumin. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese in a lacy round over the bottom of the pan. The cheese will begin to melt and then bubble and lightly brown. Using a fork or spatula, lift by the edges to loosen the chip from the pan. Remove and cool on paper towels for a flat chip. Repeat for the remaining chips.

To prepare multiple chips in the oven: In a small bowl, combine the cheese and cumin. Put the cheese in rounds on parchment or a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet. Bake in a375°Foven for 6 to 8 minutes or until the chips begin to color. Use a fork to lift the edges and loosen the chips from the pan. Remove and cool on paper towels.

The size of the chip will depend on the amount of cheese you use. Three tablespoons will yield a chip about 4 inches in diameter. Make sure to sprinkle the cheese with a light hand and make them as lacey as possible so that they don’t end up too dense and heavy. You can form the chips by draping over a rolling pin or small overturned bowl.