Savour mushrooms

Mushrooms are great any time of the year. They taste good and are full of healthy vitamins, minerals and antibiotic qualities.

They’re an excellent alternative to meat, and are rich in vitamin D content, as well as being a good source of vitamins A, B, and C.

Penicillin is extracted from mushrooms, so it’s no surprise to learn that they can fulfill an antibiotic function. Including mushrooms in your diet should improve your resistance to infection and strengthen your immune system.

Scientists have also discovered that the compounds mushrooms contain speed up the healing process for ulcers.

Mushrooms are very low in carbohydrates. They contain no cholesterol while their high protein content helps the body to consume cholesterol. They also help remove plaque accumulations from the walls of blood vessels. Consumption of mushrooms assists to redress an excess of LDL (bad) cholesterol over HDL (good) cholesterol to reduce risks of heart disease.

Last but by no means least, they’re easy to cook. They can be the hero of a dish, a side attraction or an addition to a gastronomic one pot delight.

Try your hand at using them as a pizza base or topping, adding them to stir fries and risotto dishes, making a rich creamy soup, balsamic mushrooms on toast, or that old winter favourite, beef stroganoff served with creamy mashed potatoes.