Thursday, May 10, 2012

Grilled Mega-Spice Mushrooms


One of the best things in the world is grilling at night.  Something about the mix of the cool air, dark sky, and brightly lit, red hot charcoal is almost magical.  That scent of smoldering briquettes of wood wafting through the sweet air of the night – intoxicating! All those juxtapositions and contrasts makes the act of night grilling simply awesome.  These grilled mushrooms share the same sort of contrasts – sweet touches of cinnamon and sugar play off spicy cayenne and chile powders to make for a truly addicting appetizer.

Ingredients
Mega Spice Mix:
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
1 ½  teaspoons oregano
1 ½ teaspoons basil
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
2 teaspoons cayenne
2 teaspoons New Mexico chile powder

Grilled Mushrooms:
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved
4 tablespoons canola oil
1 ½ tablespoons mega spice mix
1 bag charcoal of choice

Instructions
For the spice mix: Place all the seasonings in a bowl and mix together.  You will have leftover mix so keep in airtight container.

For the grilled mushrooms: Place the mushrooms in a medium-sized bowl.  Drizzle the canola oil and toss the oil with the mushrooms using tongs.  Sprinkle 1 ½ tablespoons mega spice mix, coating all the mushrooms evenly.  Set aside and prepare grill.

If using charcoal (highly recommended!), light charcoal according to package directions or using your favorite method.  We like to use a chimney starter, because no lighter fluid is required, and the coals will consistently light and burn down in around 30 minutes, regardless of wind conditions.  We get a lot of wind here, so it is very helpful!  Once 80-90 percent of the charcoal is ashed-over, spread them into a single layer, put cooking grates on, cover, and let the grates heat up for five minutes.  Adjust height of charcoal and air vents, if applicable to get a nice hot temperature (around 350-400 degrees).

If using gas grill, set temperature to high (350-400 degrees) and cover for 5 minutes to heat cooking grates.

Using a paper towel or dish rag, coat cooking grates with a thin layer of canola oil.  Try to not let it drip down onto the coals to prevent flare ups.  Place halved mushrooms on grill, cut side down.  Cover, and come back in about 2-3 minutes to check on them.  Once they’ve started to soften up just a bit, and the bottoms have a nice char, remove from grill and serve hot.

45 comments:

  1. These look AMAZING. I love grilled veggies, especially mushrooms. But,we usually go the easy way and marinate them in Italian dressing or something. Now I feel totally underwhelmed by my own mushrooms. I MUST try these!

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  2. Great looking mushrooms and I love the spice mix. Have you used the spices on anything else you've grilled? GG

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  3. Wow, that is a serious spice mix and you got a great sear on those mushrooms--they look awesome!

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  4. Looks great. Gonna have to try it. Everything is better from the grill.

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  5. First of all, these mushrooms look so toasty-I first thought it was bacon! Also, the idea of a mushroom doused with this sweet and heat spice mix does make me hungry. Time to get some mushrooms-yum!

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  6. I love mushrooms but never do much with them except fry in a little oil on a pan! This sounds delish:)
    ~Anne

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  7. Mega spice mix=amazing. My mouth is literally watering over this recipe - definitely adding it to my summer BBQ recipe list:)

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  8. Can't take my off at the picture. I want to pull out the plate with the grilled mushroom and eat it. Still drooling as I end my comment.... =)

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  9. My mouth is watering already! (I can almost smell the cinnamon and paprika.)

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  10. I'm a huge fan of mushrooms...and these look amazing!

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  11. Mushrooms have always been an aversion for me but such spicy delicious mushrooms are irresistible :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  12. I have never grilled mushrooms! Love your spice mix, with all that chile, did they turn out very spicy? I love Mexican chillies, people aren't very familiar with Mexican ingredients here and I have to get mine online. Your mushrooms look very substantial, first glance, I thought they were potatoes!

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  13. With all these ingredients how can it not be a killer! All my favorite spices are here and mushrooms what can I say they are irresistible!

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  14. I am growing mushrooms at the moment and will try this recipe when and if they grow. It looks really tasty. :-)

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  15. I'm new to your site and found it via Tina Bk on G+. I saw these mushrooms and had to let you know that they look incredible! The mega spice mix looks crazy...I have to try it!

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  16. Oh these look so good!! And you could put them in anything. Great recipe :)

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    Replies
    1. So true about grilling at night! Nothing quite like it! These mushrooms look tasty! My daughter would tell you she hate's mushrooms..But the truth is she eats them as long as they are cooked and on that note she had to make a salad the other night and I just realized she added mushrooms..Go figure... Have a great weekend!

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  17. I agree ... grilling at night is the bomb ... enjoy your weekend :-)

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  18. Who these sound good, we've been looking for a grill since we moved, but my husband needs to look at every one on the planet before he can decide. He needs to hurry up already so I can try these. Hope you guys have a great weekend.
    -Gina-

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  19. These look fab... am thinking of using your mega spice mix with chicken... and I'm salivating. Brilliant :-)

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  20. I love grilled mushrooms, the bigger the better!! They are just so juicy and the texture is great!

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  21. I just made some mushrooms with sour cream yesterday and thought I should try other ways to cook them. And here's your post! Looks so delicious, I will try it, that's for sure. :)

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  22. wow how can you go wrong with these rich looking spiced up mushrooms!

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  23. The spice mix sounds great! I may use the spice mix on some portabellos and grill them and use them as veggie burgers. Mmmmm!!!

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  24. That is one incredible spice mix! I'll have to give this a try if I get mushrooms again next week in my CSA!

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  25. These look incredible! The described mix of spices is mouth-watering!

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  26. Ok that's it! Now I need to have mushrooms for breakfast. it looks divine! :D

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  27. These mushrooms look so delicious Jenn :-)

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  28. Awww what a sweet post!

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  29. What fun flavors! And yes, grilling at night sounds like such an adventure!

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  30. Delicios looking mushrooms, love the spice mix! Everything here is incredable...I'll be following you!

    I'm portuguese, but ingles is my secnd laguage! Have been severel years in canadá.
    http://tentacoesobreamesa.blogspot.pt/

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  31. Gorgeous preparation Jenn!!I love your spice mix that's so so flavorful and delicious :)

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  32. The aroma of dinner on the grill is the best, and I love grilled mushrooms. These sound amazing!

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  33. How wonderful! They look amazing!

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  34. Oh my, these sound wonderful. I'm a mushroom freak. I like them any way I can get 'em. These mushrooms look so yummy, and the spices- yum!

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  35. What I wouldn't give for a grill....

    I bet roasting the shrooms with this spice blend would be super delicious also!

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  36. Grilling. Yup! and cold beer/wine. Just perfect at night :)

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  37. I love grilling at night too! These mushrooms sound perfect. Can't wait to try it.

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  38. Yay for the megaspice mix! I'll definitely be trying it on baked sweet potato fries

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  39. These look incredible! I love mushrooms--can't wait to try this!!

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  40. These mushrooms are awesome!!!!!! We eat them once a week now. (Posted about making them on my blog here.) Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.

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