Grilling need not come to an end just because the summer is over, especially if the weather is still fine, as it is this weekend where we live. Beautiful cloudless skies and mild temperatures are perfect for grilling—even better, if you ask me, than the sultry days of August and early September. And many seasonable vegetables are wonderful grilled, none more so than mushrooms. Grilled mushroom caps are a special early autumn treat. Their meaty texture and smoky flavor resembles nothing so much as a nice, juicy steak. And they’re just as simple to make.
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
- 10 large mushroom caps
For the marinade:
- 250ml (1 cup) best quality olive oil
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- A few sprigs of fresh garlic, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper
- A pinch of oregano or nepitella
For the ‘bed’:
- Salad greens or radicchio leaves
Directions
Just make a quick marinade from abundant olive oil seasoned with a finely minced garlic clove, finely chopped parsley, salt, pepper and a pinch of oregano or—if you have some—that special herb called nepitella which goes perfectly with mushrooms.
Take some large mushroom caps and brush them generously with the seasoned oil, top and bottom. Then grill them over a hot fire, about 3 minutes per side, and place on a bed of greens or—for that special Fall feeling—some radicchio leaves dressed with oil, salt and pepper.
Drizzle some more olive oil over the top of your grilled mushroom caps, season them generously with salt and pepper and sprinkle them with some finely chopped parsley. Ecco fatto!
Notes
The finest mushrooms for grilling, and the most typical in Italy, are fresh porcini. But if you can’t find them or just don’t want to pay through the nose, then other firm-fleshed mushrooms like portobellos will do. Large whole caps really do make for great eating, but smaller mushrooms also grill up fine—just reduce the grilling time according to size. Some people like to slice the mushrooms before grilling, in which case make sure you use a fine grate or grilling basket so they don’t fall on to the coals.
Mushrooms absorb a lot of condiment, so do be generous with the marinade and make sure to dress them well before serving. In fact, I like to have some extra olive oil, salt and pepper on the table so your dinner companions can add more seasoning to the mushrooms if they want.
Radicchio really marries well with mushrooms, but you can also serve your grilled mushrooms caps, like a fine tagliata di manzo, with arugula, or just on their own. They make for a nice antipasto or a vegetarian (vegan, if fact) second course. They can also serve as a topping for an actual steak if you feel like meat.
Cappelle di funghi alla griglia (Grilled Mushroom Caps)
Ingredients
- 10 large mushroom caps
For the marinade:
- 250 ml 1 cup best quality olive oil
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- A few sprigs of fresh garlic finely chopped
- Salt and pepper
- A pinch of oregano or nepitella
For the 'bed':
- Salad greens or radicchio leaves
Instructions
- Just make a quick marinade from abundant olive oil seasoned with a finely minced garlic clove, finely chopped parsley, salt, pepper and a pinch of oregano or—if you have some—that special herb called nepitella which goes perfectly with mushrooms.
- Take some large mushroom caps and brush them generously with the seasoned oil, top and bottom. Then grill them over a hot fire, about 3 minutes per side, and place on a bed of greens or—for that special Fall feeling—some radicchio leaves dressed with oil, salt and pepper.
- Drizzle some more olive oil over the top, season generously with salt and pepper and sprinkle them with some finely chopped parsley. Ecco fatto!
5 Comments on “Cappelle di funghi alla griglia (Grilled Mushroom Caps)”
Thanks, folks!
So true, @Nicole. This is the kind of dish that epitomizes the genius of Italian cooking.
@Tiffany: I aim to please!
@s.stockwell: Let's enjoy the weather while we can. 🙂
@Drick: Thanks for the kind remakrs. Quite flattering coming from a master griller like yourself!
Radicchio would indeed be a nice contrast – haven't thought of that… like mushrooms a lot and your grilled ones are perfect
Another great idea and the weather is gorgeous here too. love those porcinis.
Your posts are always full of useful information, and I love your photos! Thank you for sharing!
Great! This meal is typical for Italian food: simple ingredients, easy cooking and great results!