Marinated Mushroom Skewers

A small change in how a vegetable is cooked can make a weeknight feel different. These skewers take an ordinary package of mushrooms and turn it into something you actually look forward to. They cook in about 10 minutes, so they belong in your back pocket for busy nights.

Mushrooms are a quiet source of selenium, involved in thyroid hormone conversion and antioxidant defense, a real consideration if you are managing Hashimoto's. The balsamic and oregano carry savory depth without any nightshade, which matters here because the original recipe leaned on a red chili paste for its heat. That paste is a nightshade, so it comes out for Core, and the dish moves from spicy to deeply savory.

Source good mushrooms, and let the simple beauty of them be part of the meal: glossy from the marinade, lined up on the skewer, roasted just to tender. Arrange them on the plate with a little care and take a breath before you eat. Even a humble side is worth that small attention.

Ingredients

• 8 oz mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• red chili paste omitted (excluded on Core; it is a nightshade, and removing it takes the heat out of the dish)

Method

Toss the mushrooms with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and oregano in a bowl until every cap is coated, then let them marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes so the flavor soaks in. Thread the mushrooms onto four metal skewers, or bamboo skewers you have soaked in water so they do not scorch.

Heat the oven to 350 F and set a wire rack over a baking sheet so the heat moves around the skewers and they roast rather than steam. Roast for 9 to 12 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and a little glazed. A hot grill works the same way if you would rather cook them outside.

Air fryer variation

Mushrooms crisp nicely in the air fryer. Lay the threaded skewers in a single layer in the basket, or pile the marinated mushrooms loose if the skewers do not fit, and cook at 380 F for about 8 to 10 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through so they color evenly. Watch them toward the end, since smaller mushrooms cook faster. Air fryer time is an estimate and untested here.

*Adapted from acleanplate.com*