Summer Grilling Marinade
5 Jun
First of all, before you tell me you hate mushrooms, let me tell you a story:
I didn’t used to like mushrooms
My husband didn’t used to like mushrooms.
Kids (in general) didn’t used to like mushrooms.
Guess who’s bringin’ mushrooms back? (Be honest, do you have Justin Timberlake stuck in your head now?) I threw this dressing together on the fly the other day as we prepared a meal for my in-laws. There was some teasing at the generous amount of mushrooms I had bought, but after they had marinated in this dressing and were served up at the table, even my little one year old nephew was asking for “Mo!” I am taking that as a win. I know the kid loves food, but…hey. A mushroom is a mushroom.
That, and they tasted like pepperoni. In a very vegan way. Or something.
The zucchini we marinated and grilled was delicious as well. We didn’t bother adding the sauce to the onions, as they seem to not soak it up, and are plenty flavorful on their own. You can make these into shish kebabs, broil them, or grill the zucchini in long strips, as we did. (Just try not to engulf them in flames get too much char on them like we did.)
Ingredients:
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
2 Tb red wine vinegar
1 Tb white (regular) vinegar
2 t oregano
2 t basil
2 t garlic powder (I rarely use garlic powder, but it’s better than fresh garlic in this case, for texture and a smoother flavor)
2-3 t dried onions
salt and fresh ground pepper
Recipe:
1) In a bowl, mix the olive oil and vinegars together.
2) Whisk in dry spices, and taste.
3) Add salt, pepper, and more or less of any other ingredient to taste.
3) To use as a marinade, pour into a large bag (or a glass baking dish), and add vegetables. Shake to distribute.
4) Lay bag flat, and flip over after 20-30 minutes. Marinate for 40-60 minutes, if you can.
5) Grill or broil vegetables.
We served these alongside whole grain pasta tossed in homemade pesto (obviously, I didn’t partake of this). I remember one summer we had grilled vegetables for the majority of our dinners each week. It got a little out of control…. Even so, we aren’t sick of it, and grilled veggies are the sure sign that summer has arrived! It’s so easy, there’s just no reason to use that processed bottled stuff that’s filled with preservatives and fillers. This dressing is high-fructose corn syrup, metabulsulfite, and Red #40 free, and tasty to boot! It comes together in less than five minutes — just add veggies and walk away for an hour. Zing.
What’s your go-to summer meal?
I DESPISE mushrooms. So gross.
Bummer.
I absolutely LOVE mushrooms. Always had. Guess I’m in the minority. I’ve got a ton of veggies in the fridge that were destined for the grill later today so this is perfect.
One of my fav summer dishes is just tomatoes with some slivered red onions with tons of fresh basil in a simple viniagrette. Anything with basil epitomizes summer for me
Oh, I am with you on the basil! Sounds delicious
I don’t like mushrooms either. Hubby loves them. I’ll get some and try the marinade thing and see what happens. I know they are healthy for you.
Hopefully you’ll like them! I think raw ‘shrooms are worlds apart from marinated and grilled ones
I go through phases with liking mushrooms, lately I have not been enjoying them. But I do love a good grilled veggies…these look great
I have phases with foods too. Grilled veggies are one of my favorite things in the world!
I used to despise mushrooms but in the past year or so they have grown to be one of my favorites! Thanks condiment queen for another tasty sounding sauce!
I need to get my manfriend to fix our grill ASAP but he has been living at the golf course pretty much since the nice weather began! lol
Aw, thanks Abby! I must take my title pretty seriously
I think most people that don’t like mushrooms (myself once included) would actually take to them if they tried them marinated and grilled! So juicy and good. Get the manfriend to get his grill on!
I don’t mind mushrooms — it really depends on how they are prepared! Do I want to eat a bowl of fresh mushrooms? Not really, but cooked or grilled correctly and they taste great!
Summer foods — big salads with grilled chicken or fish and huge fruit salads.
I agree — cooked or grilled are where it’s at with mushrooms. I am craving lots of raw, fresh food like fruit and salad lately. Yes!
I love cooked mushrooms – not a fan of raw ones.
We eat grilled veggies a ton in the summer – super easy and anything that involves not turning on the oven is always a plus!
Yes, raw ones are not in the same category, in my opinion! Grills make everything better.
I love mushrooms. They’re one of my fav foods. So glad you’ve started to like ‘em too!
Mushrooms are MY ALL TIME FAV growths! I can’t really call them vegetables, and growths doesn’t sound all that appealing, but they are pretty dang tasty! My favorite kind is called “Blue-Footed”, they are actually native to the Rockies (I think) as Colorado is where I was first turned on to them. Your recipe looks great, and although I don’t usually dress my shrooms, I will definitely give this a try
Haha! Growths. Sounds like a tumah.
I haven’t heard of blue-footed before…hmm. Sounds fun. Hope you like the marinade if you give it a go!
The fact that you just referenced Kindergarden Cop means we were definitely meant to be friends… I used to walk around the house when I was little saying “IT’S NOT A TOOMA!”
#Winning.
That seems to be a pretty universal marinade. I bet it tastes pizazzy when combined with grill flavor! (I made a word up to describe it)
I like your word!
I realized yesterday that the smell of cumin reminds me of tacos. For some reason the mushroom/pepperoni thing reminded me of that. So random! So me. This looks delicious! Grilled veggies are definitely some of my favorites and we could definitely eat them all summer long too – grilled veggies and mahi mahi kabobs = killer.
xo! Hope you’re having a fun week!
Ha, it took me a while to realize that cumin is what makes tacos taste taco-y. Miracle spice. I love random you. It’s funny, but I’m just lately finding out how much you can replicate a lot of the non-veg flavors by just using the same spices that they put in things like sausage, etc. Why has it taken me so long? I’ve been missing out on deliciousness!
Miss you girl, will be emailing soon! (I always say that. Sigh.) xoxo
Mushrooms are a hit or miss for me, but I have a feeling that this marinade would be a hit
Tasty!
It was!
Why haven’t I discovered your blog sooner, seriously?! Adding you to my blogroll, if you don’t mind, of course.
Those grilled veggies looked fabulous. I’m currently studying abroad in France, and I miss my mini-grill back home. I salivate just thinking about crispy, slightly charred onions, mushrooms, asparagus, etc.
Aw, thanks Teniesha! <3 I'm honored to be on the blogroll! Ah, France — how lovely. I can imagine missing the grill though. You have me craving asparagus now…yesss.
I love mushrooms soooo muchhhh! my fiance doesn’t like them either–but it looks like now I have hope!!! actually, he started eating SOME here and there. I think my eating habits are rubbing off on him
Hey, my husband used to hate just about everything he loves now
There’s definitely hope!