Mushroom Bolognese Features Rich Flavors

Mushroom Bolognese. Photo courtesy of Linda Gassenheimer/TNS

By Linda Gassenheimer From Tribune News Service

Here’s a light version of the Italian classic Bolognese sauce that’s quick, easy and won’t break the calorie bank. A mixture of different sliced mushrooms creates the base for this vegetarian dinner. I use portobello and shitake mushrooms. If your market sells other wild mushrooms such as oyster, morels or chanterelle, you can use them to add other texture and flavor. One secret to the rich flavor is to thinly slice the onions and cook them until they are sweet. Another hint is to add orange zest to the sauce. This adds a little sweetness and an intriguing flavor.

Helpful Hints:

— For maximum flavor, zest the orange holding it over the sauce. This will capture more of the orange flavor.

Countdown:

— Place water for the spaghetti on to boil.

— Start Bolognese sauce.

— Boil spaghetti.

— Finish the sauce.

Shopping List:

To buy:

1 bunch celery,

1 bottle dry white wine,

1/2 pound portobello mushrooms,

1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, or mixed wild mushrooms,

1 bottle olive oil spray,

1 bottle reduced-sodium marinara sauce,

1 orange,

1 package spaghetti,

1 piece Parmesan cheese,

1 bunch fresh oregano (or 1 bottle dried),

1 bunch fresh rosemary (or 1 bottle dried),

1 bunch parsley (optional garnish).

Staples: onion, garlic, salt and black peppercorns.

Mushroom Bolognese

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

1/2 pound portobello

1/2 pound shitake mushrooms or mixed wild mushrooms

Olive oil spray

1 cup thinly sliced onion

1/2 cup thinly sliced celery

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves or 2 teaspoons dried

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves or 2 teaspoons dried

1/4 cup dry white wine

2 cups reduced-sodium marinara sauce

Orange zest from 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 pound spaghetti

2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional garnish)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Place a large pot with 3 to 4 quarts water on to boil for spaghetti. Slice all of the mushrooms to 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil spray. Add onion and celery. Sauté 5 minutes, without browning. Add garlic, oregano, rosemary and mushrooms. Sauté 5 minutes, stirring mushrooms to cook evenly. Add white wine and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce and orange zest and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, add spaghetti to boiling water and cook 9 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain and divide between two dinner plates. Serve Bolognese sauce over the spaghetti. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley (if using).

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 567 calories (22% from fat), 13.9 g fat (4.2 g saturated, 4 g monounsaturated), 22 mg cholesterol, 25.4 g protein, g 85.6 carbohydrates, 12.2 g fiber, 484 mg sodium.

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