I received the below facebook message one day from my friend, Aditya. Being the great mushroom aficionado that I am, how could I have posted all but one portobello recipe on this site?! Ive featured other mushrooms on Veggie Belly, like the shitake mushroom soup, morel mushrooms over polenta, beech mushroom flat bread, and my recent morel mushroom pasta with fiddleheads. But the mighty, meaty portobello has been in all but one recipe on veggie belly. I defenitely had to remedy that!
Aditya, this one is for you ♥
These portobellos were larger than the palm of my hand! But they turned out to be the perfect size for these sandwiches/burgers; they shrunk just enough while cooking on the grill, to fit in the kaiser roll. Portobello or portabella mushrooms are delicious in burger style sandwiches because they are meaty in taste and texture. They are often called the ‘steak of all mushrooms’! They also take to grilling very well. I used beefsteak tomatoes in this sandwich, again, for their meaty texture. But any tomato will do.
Grilled Portobello Roasted Red Pepper and Mozzarella Sandwich/Burger Recipe
makes 4 sandwiches
4 large portobello mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
salt & pepper
4 kaiser rolls or burger buns or 8 slices of any other loaf bread
2-4 tablespoons mayonnaise or my white bean asparagus hummus
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
4 slices beefsteak tomato
4 slices fresh mozzarella (or whatever cheese you like)
4 large pieces of store bought, jarred roasted red pepper
1 cup salad leaves or lettuce of your choice
Heat an outdoor grill to 400f.
Wipe the mushrooms clean. Using a spoon, scrape off the gills from the mushrooms. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Brush the olive oil and vinegar mixture all over the mushrooms.
Place the mushroom caps on the grill and grill about 2-3 minutes on one side. Flip the mushroom caps, and grill another 2-3 minutes. (If you like your cheese melted, place cheese slices on portobello caps (gill side) after you have flipped them). Remove grilled mushrooms to a plate, and cover to keep warm. If you are not using an outdoor grill, broil the mushrooms in the oven; about 3-4 minutes (or till browned a little) per side.
Cut the bread roll in half. Spread some mayonnaise or my white bean asparagus hummus on both halves. Sprinkle some basil on top. On the bottom half of the bread roll, arrange the grilled portobello mushroom, tomato slice, mozzarella slice, and roasted red pepper. Top with lettuce or salad greens. Place the other bread slice on top. Secure sandwich with a toothpick. Serve with a side of soup or salad and fries or chips.
Anyone who says that you can’t make a flavorful vegetarian sandwich hasn’t had this baby. I bet it’d be great with a spicy aioli too. There are just so many possibilities.
And now, as usual, I’m hungry…
[Reply]
That sandwich/burger is awesome! A pity we rarely find Portobello mushrooms here…
Cheers,
Rosa
[Reply]
That looks awesome!!
[Reply]
I think I am in love! Mushrooms are my absolute favourite :p
[Reply]
WhenI saw the pic i thought those tomatoes looked like salmon and i wa slike huh isn”t she veg
but then i read the recip and it was tomatoes, i love sandwitches like this. Really filling and so so good.
[Reply]
I too love mushrooms. The burger looks amazingly good. Portobello mushrooms are new to me and have never come across a mushroom of this size! Absolutely amazing!
[Reply]
always a huge hit at our place. i like grilling the mushroom on a charcoal grill adds a wonderful smoky flavor. did you use an electric or charcoal too?
[Reply]
Sala @ Veggie Belly Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 9:40 am
We only have an electric grill. I soak some hickory wood chips, wrap them in foil, and put it on the grill for some smoky flavor. But its not the same as a charcoal grill
[Reply]
oh oh how simple.. I have this portabella still sitting in my fridge. will definitely make em…
[Reply]
My husband is a HUGE fan of sandwiches… usually with lunch meat. I know that we’ll both love this one, though! And I’m excited to try your white bean hummus!
[Reply]
Portobello mushrooms are so amazing marinated and grilled. I have to try this recipe with your white bean asparagus hummus!
[Reply]
ooh, I bet A will love this. I am not a mushroom fan
*since you haven’t yet shot me*
A is, and I’m trying to eat them more regularly. I promise to try this soon
simply coz it looks AWESOME!
[Reply]
I’m always on the search for veggie sandwiches and this looks great! Delicious and healthy — yay! My kind of burger!
[Reply]
Wow nice burger ….looks gud…
[Reply]
Oh YUM! That looks incredible… and your pictures, wow… I’m drooling! I just posted a veggie salad you should check out!
xxMK
Delightful Bitefuls
[Reply]
Love the mushroom pic. It’s amazing. I am craving for it now. I am a great fan of your recipes and food photographs, it will be our pleasure if you could participate in our Sizzling Summer Contest.
[Reply]
Thank you for such a wonderfully tasty looking recipe. I’ve gotta get to the market next week for some portobellos. I always forget about them for a few months and then fall back in love with them with each eating.
I also shared this post on my blog today. I’m a vegetarian mother of three young children who is always on the lookout for delicious, healthy meals. I love your website. Glad to have found it recently!
Here’s a link to my post today:
http://rosiegirldreams.com/6-sharing-saturday/sharing-saturday-lifetimes-book/
Thanks for sharing.
Rosie Girl Dreams
http://rosiegirldreams.com
[Reply]
The burger looks awesome, I would definately like to try your recipe for the Blog Bites event
[Reply]
Thank you for this delightful recipe. I will be stopping by this site for more awesome meals.
[Reply]
What great recipes and photos! I just happened upon your website and am delighted to have found you. I like your style of cooking, presentation and eating! Thank you and congratulations on a well done blog!
[Reply]
So.. When are you opening your restaurant?
looks delicious.. I’m sure it’ll taste yum too, unlike most restaurants that have nice pics, but then the food looks nothing like the pic.. 
also, if you need any guinea pigs for experimenting with, I’m always there! 
[Reply]
This dish looks ridiculously good! I rarely eat meat, and I love mushrooms.
[Reply]