Lifestyle
Meatless Monday – Caprese mushroom zoodles
Caprese salad meets zucchini noodles in this super easy dish filled with tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini and cheese. Not only do you get a delicious bowl of food, but it’s also packed with great nutrients and delicious flavour, while being really low in calories!
![MEATLESS MONDAY - Caprese mushroom zoodles](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/121/2022/09/meatless-monday-caprese-mushroom-zoodles-780x470.jpg)
Serves 4
You’ll need: 4-6 large zucchini/ marrows (if you cannot find large zucchini/ marrows use extra baby marrows); 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp butter; 4 cloves garlic, finely minced; 500g mixed portabellini & baby portabellini mushrooms;
For the tomato sauce – 1 x 400g tin whole peeled tomatoes; 1 small red onion, peeled and halved; 1 tsp chilli flakes; 2 Tbsp butter; 250g smooth ricotta cheese; 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated; handful fresh basil leaves; salt and pepper, to taste
How to:
For the tomato sauce:
- Crush tinned tomatoes with your hands into a medium saucepan. Add the butter, onion halves, chilli flakes and a pinch of salt.
- Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. When the sauce is thick and the flavour has developed, discard the onion and switch off the heat.
- Using a vegetable peeler, shave zucchini into long, even ribbons. Toss with a pinch of salt in a colander. Let it stand until ready to use.
- Heat oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add mushrooms and cook, tossing them often until just tender and golden brown. Season.
To assemble:
- Preheat the oven grill.
- In a shallow baking dish spread out the zucchini ribbons. Dollop spoonfuls of tomato sauce over the zoodles. Top with mushrooms and spoonfuls of ricotta. Season well.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan and place until the grill for 2-3 minutes.
Serve in bowls and scatter with fresh basil leaves.
* Recipe & image by The South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association.