Tomato Love – Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella

Do you love fresh garden tomatoes and are you looking for a great new recipe to use them?  You’ve found the right recipe.  This is one of my favorite ways to prepare grilled portobello mushrooms.  It reminds me of a caprese salad on top of a grilled portobello; the flavors are fresh and compliment the grilled portobello.  I think next time I will even try a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for greasing grill pan
• 4 large portobello mushrooms (about 5 inches in diameter), stemmed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 small to medium sized vine ripened tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 8 ounces fresh water-packed mozzarella, drained, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat).

Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over both sides of the mushrooms. Sprinkle the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil on grill pan to prevent mushrooms from sticking. Grill until the mushrooms are heated through and tender, about 5 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil and garlic in a medium bowl to blend. Add the tomatoes, cheese, and basil and toss to coat. Season the tomato salad, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Place 1 hot grilled mushroom gill side up on each of 4 plates. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Spoon the tomato salad atop the mushrooms, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to finish, about 1 tablespoon and serve.

Source:  Foodnetwork.com  – Recipe Courtesy of Giada De Laurentis