Summer Sniffle and Microwave Mushroom Queso Fundido

Of all the times to come down with a cold! My parents are home for two weeks visiting, I’m getting into the pre-marathon phase training and it hits. The dreaded summer cold.  Sore throat for two days with itchy ears and eyes followed by left face syndrome.  If you don’t know what left face syndrome is, it’s when all cold symptoms migrate to one side of the face. This time, it was my left side.  The left eye watered, the left nostril tickled, caused sneezing then got plugged.  All left side symptoms.  Cut me in half and I’d feel fine…on my right side.

The good news is that the worst seems to be over.  I missed one day of training which was unfortunately a key workout but there is still time left in the week to make that one up.  As for preventing future ailments, I think I’ll nix the running in rain storms as much as possible since I get soaking wet, then sweaty, then chilled.  That’s a good formula for sickness.

FUNDIDO!  EATS!

While we were under construction due to the kitchen renovation, we made a lot of use of our toaster oven and microwave. Creativity was not lacking as you can tell by the following recipe.  It was based on a discovery from Marcela Valladolid. 

Note:  This is for MICROWAVE cooking.  You need one microwave safe casserole dish.

Serves 2 

• 1 TBS olive oil
• 5 green onions chopped
• 2 cups sliced white mushrooms
• 3 tsp minced garlic
• 2 TBS fresh basil chopped
• 2 sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• salt to taste
• 3/4 cup shredded cheese such as mozzarella, sharp cheddar, whatever your favorite – think FLAVOR!
• pita triangles to serve or use as a topping for steak or tempeh

Add the oil, onions, garlic, and mushrooms to the microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir.

Add the basil, sun dried tomatoes, pepper and salt, then cheese. Adjust the microwave to cook on MEDIUM heat for 6 – 8 minutes or until you see the cheese bubble in the middle.

Serve over your favorite protein or use as an appetizer for dipping crudités or pita triangles.

Do you get summer colds?  How long do you usually suffer symptoms?