Brown and serve

MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T given mushrooms much thought. Or maybe you're not a fan.

It might be time to reconsider. There are so many tasty things that can be done with mushrooms -- add them to soups, stews, spaghetti sauces, omelets, quesadillas, pizzas, as a dip on toast points or as an appetizer stuffed with yummy combinations of cheeses and other veggies. Mushrooms not only add a depth of flavor to other dishes, they're also healthy, containing Vitamin D and the B vitamins riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. That makes mushrooms a great way to add more color to our diet this year in our series about coloring our plate.

Rich warm browns are cozy, warming our tummies as we head into fall's chill and leave summer's smothering heat wave behind. With mushrooms you also have options.

-- Choose a white button mushroom, the most popular, and add it to salads or pasta dishes. According to the Mushroom Council, about 90 percent of the mushrooms consumed in this country are white buttons.

-- Criminis are another variety. These have a shape similar to white buttons, but they range in color from tan to rich brown with a firmer cap than the button variety. Cook these with your beef or chicken dishes.

-- Portobellos are larger mushrooms, measuring up to six inches in diameter. These dramatic creatures have a rich flavor that vegetarians often substitute for meat dishes. Grilled portobellos make scrumptious sandwiches.

-- Shiitakes are yet another variety, and also have broader caps, much like an umbrella. They, too, have a meaty texture and are often served in Asian dishes.

-- A lesser known variety is the maitake. These capless mushrooms are ripply in texture, looking much like a delicate stack of lace.

So, add some mushrooms to your plate this fall. Keep them on hand to saute and serve in thick chunks along with steaks or chops. Or add them to your next batch of pasta. They're also yummy sauteed and served on top of burgers or as a side with other grilled veggies such as red and green peppers.

That's sure to warm your plate when the evenings grow shorter, bringing with them fall's crisp chill.

Reach Askins at (803) 771-8614.