Citrus Marinated Mushrooms

These have a strong sesame flavor if you make them as the recipe suggests. Still, the citrus gives them a bright, clean flavor that goes well with a main dish. The brine that the mushrooms marinate in is fantastic as a salad dressing - maybe even better than the mushrooms themselves. We served these over a bed of mixed greens and leftover steamed asparagus, with a few spoonfuls of the brine. Incredibly tasty.


1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
2 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon grated lime rind
1 pound mushrooms, halved
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl. Microwave 2 minutes, or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Stir in orange rind, oils, and lime rind. Combine vinegar mixture and mushrooms in a large bowl; toss well to combine. Cover; refrigerate overnight (though 48 hours wouldn't be bad, these get better the longer they sit). Add parsley; toss to combine.



--Adapted from Cooking Light magazine