Opera Singer in the Kitchen

Artistry in Food, Music, and Life

Portabella Burger with Russian Dressing and Onion Rings

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I finally prepared a meal that did not upset my tummy. I am 12 weeks pregnant and have been really nauseous and sick to my tummy. The past 2 days have been filled with emptying the tummy and going to sleep with just fluids. Not good, I know.


When I woke up this morning I felt queasy and immediately stuffed 1/2 a banana in my mouth before getting ready to drop Ryan off at school. The banana definitely helped for a bit but then I had a bagel and later had an egg. Blech….my stomach rejected these foods today even though I had been enjoying them the last few weeks.


After a choir rehearsal, I decided I would try a green monster smoothie. I knew I needed greens and protein so I packed in coconut milk, water, spinach, blueberries, protein powder, flaxseed oil and blended away. My tummy was soothed! Yay!


The key then was to know what to make for dinner. When I quickly went grocery shopping in the morning I saw items to make veggie egg rolls. As the morning went by I was not feeling that anymore but I was still debating it because then I ran across a post at Clean Green Simple’s website talking about portabella burgers! I have become so indecisive lately especially since I have been really nauseous, so menu planning has been so hard!


Thank you Facebook fans for helping me make up my mind for tonight’s dinner. It was perfect and it settled really nicely in my tummy. Sigh…


I made some crunchy baked onion rings for the FIRST time! I am so sad I just tried making them because I could have been making them all this time. Nevermind that. Now I can make them often. It was a quick and savory recipe thanks to Isa Chandra’s recipe.


I also made a Russian sauce to add to the sandwich that kind of reminded me of a Thousand Island dressing. Since I did not add too much spice on the portabella cap, I decided to make a sauce. Ryan thought it was flavorful and interesting. I am glad I have leftovers because I have 2 more mushroom caps left!


Enjoy this quick dinner!

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Portabella Burger with Russian Dressing

makes 2 sandwiches

For the Burger:
Two portobello mushrooms, stems removed
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 hamburger buns
2 romaine leaves
1 tomato, cut into 1/2 inch slices
4 Tablespoons of Russian Dressing

Russian Dressing

adapted from All Recipes

makes 1 1/2 cups

1 cup Vegenaise (vegan mayo)
3 teaspoons minced onion
1/2 teaspoon wasabi powder (or prepared horseradish)
1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried parsley
3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup


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Oven-Baked Onion Rings
 
 
2 large vidalia onions (about a pound)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (I have used brown rice or amaranth flour to make this GF)
2 tablespoons arrowroot starch (or cornstarch)
1 cup cold So Delicious coconut milk (or other non-dairy milk)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine flour, arrowroot starch, coconut milk, and apple cider vinegar in a medium bowl.

Slice onions into 3/4 inch thick rings. Separate the rings and place in a bowl. In the other bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and salt. Drizzle in the oil and use your fingertips to mix it up well.

Line up each bowl in order:
  1. Bowl of onions
  2. Bowl with flour mixture
  3. Bowl with breadcrumbs
  4. Baking sheet
Dip onions into flour mixture with one hand, shaking excess, then place the onion in the breading. Using a fork, sprinkle breadcrumbs onto onion until fully cover. Place onion ring on baking sheet. Repeat process with the rest of the onion rings.

Bake for 8 minutes on one side, flip, and bake for an additional 6 minutes on the other side, or until they are golden brown and crisp.


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While the onion rings are baking, heat your grill to medium and brush your portabellas with balsamic vinegar. Oil your grill and cook them for 3-5 minutes per side or until they are slightly softened and browned. You can also toast your buns by putting them on the grill for about 30 seconds, if you want.

Once your onion strings and portabellas are done, assemble your burger – Add 1 Tablespoon of Russian dressing, portabella,lettuce, and tomato and serve with crispy onion rings.

About Noelle

I’m an opera singer, full-time mom, pharmacy technician, food and mom blogger, recipe developer, and wife to a super talented choral director living in the awesome outskirts of Philly.