Umami is fifth basic taste after sweet, salty, bitter and sour. Derived from the Japanese word umami, meaning “delicious,” umami is described as a savory, brothy, rich or meaty taste sensation.

I’m always looking for ways to incorporate more veggies into meals. I don’t know if my kids are just naturally more willing to eat and try interesting foods because that’s their nature or because I’ve always just expected them to. Even still, I occasioanlly get complaints when I give them something new because kids (and some adults) can’t see past a new texture or flavor. So I blend veggies into my pasta sauces to up the vegetable and vitamin content. When I was approached by The Mushroom Channel to work on their #Shroomtember campaign, I started getting ideas right away.

It had been a while since I’d made a meatloaf and it seemed like a perfect fit for the requirements of this recipe contest, blending meat and mushrooms, or as they like to call it… blendability.  My kids love meatloaf as long as the chunks of onions are small enough that they can’t tell them apart from the meat. They like the flavor but think they’re slimy. So I thought I could do the same thing with mushrooms, it would increase the vitamin content, and as a bonus mushrooms are cheaper than meat, offer more vitamins, minerals, and have a texture consistent with meat. So your kids can’t tell it apart.

I like mushrooms. My mom knew how to cook so mushrooms were something we looked forward to in my home.  Some people don’t like mushrooms and I think that’s because of the way they were prepared when they were growing up. It’s all about how you are introduced to something, first impressions last forever. As with many things, it might be time to leave those childish notions in the past and grow up. And don’t teach your kids those same bland recipes your parents perpetrated on you.

Mushrooms bring important nutrients like vitamin D, potassium, B vitamins and antioxidants to the plate without adding significant calories, fat and cholesterol.

Preheat your oven to 425.

In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 Pound Ground Turkey

I Pound Mushrooms (I used  8 oz baby portobellos and 8 oz white) Minced

1 Medium Yellow Onion (chopped fine)

1/3 Cup BBQ Sauce (your choice)

3 Shakes of Cayenne Pepper

1/8 Tsp Black Pepper

1/4 tsp Sage

1/4 tsp Thyme

1/4 tsp Ground Mustard

3 Tblsp Worcestershire Sauce

I oil the pan so it won’t stick and form it in the familiar loaf before putting it into the oven.  I did it at 425 for 20 minutes, it crisps the outside a bit, and then knocked the temperature down to 350 for another 20 minutes.

I layered the top with some mushrooms because they look good. I also surrounded it with chopped potatoes it’s a quick and easy way to fill out a meal and I like not having to clean more pans.

They liked it!

You can replace the BBQ sauce with Ketchup, but I like it for it’s smokey sweetness.

If you’re looking for other ways to use mushrooms  – http://mushroominfo.com/

You all have to jump on board with this contest, the prize is a $500 gift card (who couldn’t use that?!) and it can be all yours! Make a dish that you’d normally do with all meat and lighten it up by incorporating mushrooms, it’s that’s simple.

Follow the link below for the fine print.

http://shroomtember.lifeofdad.com/

Disclosure: I have partnered with Life of Dad, LLC for the #ShroomTember promotion. Sponsored by The Mushroom Council, the #ShroomTember promotion gives anybody the chance to win a $500 Visa gift card.