Wednesday, August 11, 2010

On the Run to Run

Tuesday nights get a little hairy. I've gotta get everyone fed and bathed by 5:30 and get the house in some decent order before leaving TGB and Batman with a babysitter. I realize that doesn't actually sound hard when you put it in words like that, but I can't tell you how dang exhausting it can be getting little people to do what you need them to do, when you need them to do it. Superman joins me at the track for workouts with my local running club. Before I go I like to get an adult dinner ready so that we can eat when I get home and the kids get to sleep. Why? I wish I could say it's because I'm such an excellent wife, but really it's just because I'm going to be all kinds of ravenous when I walk in the door and cereal just doesn't cut it for HungryMom.


Here's the thing, you can't really eat too much during the day of track practice, or its very likely you'll spew all over your fellow teammates while circling the track in 90+ degree heat. So by the time I finally get home, I have to have something somewhat healthy prepared to eat or I'll just start tearing through everything in the house. Similar to getting home from work at 5:30 and realizing you didn't think about dinner earlier. Then you just start eating.... everything. Well, that's what I would do anyway.

So last week I finally tried Grilled Portabella Mushroom burgers. Others had raved about these and I thought I'd give it a try, since they seem easy enough to get together when you're *on the run*


Grilled Portabella Mushroom Burgers

Portabella Mushrooms (get em big, because they shrink)
Hamburger buns
Marinade - 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, couple tablespoons soy sauce (not pictured), 1 tbl sugar or honey, pressed garlic (if you want... I always want)
Toppings - feta cheese, roasted red peppers, fresh tomato, basil
Quick Aioli - jarred pesto and mayo


Mix the marinade ingredients together (olive oil, red wine, soy sauce, garlic, sugar/honey)



And then do you want to see possibly the worst mess you could make when you've got kids hanging on your ankles screaming and you're trying to get out the door? This. Half a cup of olive oil all over the floor.


I salvaged what was left and threw it on top of the mushrooms. Then I threw them in the fridge.

Mixed this 1 tbl pesto and 1 tbl mayo together for later and threw that in the fridge too. And ran out the door.

When I got home to relieve the babysitter I found my husband wasn't yet home from work, so I broiled the mushrooms instead of grilling them. About 5 minutes. They were AWESOME, so easy, and healthy!
Topped with pesto mix, basil, tomato, feta and roasted red peppers - I have to add that Jarred Roasted Red Peppers are essential to have on hand for last minute dinners. Add to sandwiches, burgers, or pasta to add a LOT of flavor with no work.
p.s. hub came home and grubbed 2 and was full, so they're guy-approved.

3 comments:

Julie D. said...

seriously, karen. Your recipes are awesome! at least by the looks....makes me want to run out and get portabello mushrooms and pesto!!! and can I tell you how much i love your 'mess' picture? Looks a whole lot like my house!!

Laura Villarreal said...

oh my gosh, that looks amazing! and the days I come home from work starving are almost comical - aka last night I ate 4 pieces of bread and butter in about 2 minutes. Definitely going to try those!

Lex and Paylo said...

This looks delicious, and I will be attempting this this weekend. Yikes!! To date, I have cooked 2 meals. Other than mac and cheese and grilled cheese. :)