OTTOLENGHI-INSPIRED MEXICAN-SPICED ROASTED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS WITH BEAN PURÉE
Bursting with vibrant Mexican flavors, this roasted Portobello mushroom dish features a rich, smoky tomato and chili sauce paired with a creamy bean purée. Perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal that’s full of bold taste and comforting textures.
🕒 Prep Time: 15 min
🍳 Cook Time: 1 hour 20 min
🍰 Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Roasted Mushrooms:
- 6–8 large Portobello mushrooms
- 400 ml olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tbsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 red chili pepper, sliced
- 10 medium garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 medium onion, cut into 6 lengthwise pieces
- ½ dried chipotle chili, soaked in hot water
For the Bean Purée:
- 2 cans (400 g each) white beans, or 500 g cooked white beans
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Roasting Mixture
- In a large baking tray (about 40 x 25 cm) where mushrooms fit in a single layer with space between, combine olive oil, tomato paste, ground coriander, and ground cumin. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Scatter garlic cloves, onion pieces, sliced red chili, and soaked chipotle chili over the oil mixture.
2. Roast the Mushrooms
- Arrange mushrooms stem-side down on the tray. Generously sprinkle salt over everything.
- Cover the tray with parchment paper, pressing edges to seal contents. Place a lid or aluminum foil over the tray.
- Roast at 170°C (340°F) for 1 hour.
- Remove the cover and parchment, then roast uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
3. Prepare the Sauce and Mushrooms
- Transfer mushrooms to a wide serving platter.
- Scoop 2 tablespoons of the aromatic oil from the tray into a saucepan for the bean purée.
- Blend the solids remaining in the tray until smooth and return the sauce to the tray.
- Heat the sauce to a boil on the stove, then return mushrooms to the sauce and simmer together for about 2 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.
4. Make the Bean Purée
- Blend the drained beans until smooth. For an ultra-smooth texture, press through a fine sieve.
- Pour the bean purée into the saucepan with reserved aromatic oil. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Warm gently over medium heat, stirring continuously, until heated through (a few minutes).
5. Serve
- Spread the warm bean purée on the serving platter.
- Arrange the roasted mushrooms on top.
- Drizzle with the flavorful sauce as desired.
- Reserve any leftover sauce for other recipes.
- Serve warm or reheated.
💡 Tips
- Make sure mushrooms are spaced out enough to roast evenly without steaming.
- Adjust chili quantities based on your heat preference.
- The aromatic oil is packed with flavor—save any leftovers for dressings or sautés.
- This dish pairs beautifully with warm tortillas or crusty bread.
🎉 Perfect For
- Flavorful vegetarian dinners
- Mexican-inspired meals at home
- Entertaining guests with bold, comforting dishes
📝 Final Thoughts
This Ottolenghi-inspired recipe transforms Portobello mushrooms into a vibrant, smoky centerpiece paired with a creamy bean purée that complements the bold spices perfectly. It’s a satisfying and elegant vegetarian meal with rich layers of flavor.