Simple Parmesan Mushrooms

I often say mushrooms are my favorite vegetable, even though they are actually a fungus. No one is going to like you if you go around talking about your favorite fungus. Mushrooms are amazing, though, and we need to eat more of them. At least four times a week, I say. This is a super simple and very satisfying side dish to throw together when you don't have a lot of time or energy.

Simple Parmesan Mushrooms

What You'll Need:

2 small packages sliced mushrooms (about 1.5 lbs)
Olive oil, for drizzling
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 cup grated or shaved Parmesan (or more- I won't judge)
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

How to Make It: 

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet, or spray it with nonstick spray. Rinse the mushrooms and pat them dry with paper towels, then transfer them to the baking sheet. Drizzle with a generous glug of olive oil (about 3-4 tbsp), and sprinkle with the garlic, thyme, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Toss the mushrooms to coat and combine. Bake them for about 12-15 minutes, until tender. Serve them immediately.

Spicy Oven Fries

Don't serve these with regular old ketchup from your fridge. That's boring. These would be great with honey mustard, aioli, or a spicy ketchup (like curry ketchup.)

Spicy Oven Fries

What You'll Need: 

2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into strips
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Pinch of kosher or sea salt and some freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of garlic powder
Pinch of paprika
About 1 tbsp olive oil

How to Make It: 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss everything to coat the potatoes. Drizzle the potatoes with the olive oil, and toss again to coat. Spread the potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet, and bake for 30 minutes (turning once or twice) until the fries are golden brown and fragrant. If you cut thinner fries, check them after about 25 minutes in the oven. Some of mine were a little burnt, but they were still yummy!