Recipe: Portobello Pizzas (make ahead, serves 2)

PORTOBELLO PIZZAS

"Portobello mushrooms are perfect little containers for vegetables and cheese.

The "Mushroom Treatment" (step 1) greatly firms up the Portobello's and condenses their flavor. Mushrooms prepared in this manner can be used in many ways beyond these pizzas. Keep "treated" mushrooms in your refrigerator for up to a week. They're a great convenience item that can perform double duty as both something to eat and something to "hold" other food, like scrambled eggs or tofu, cooked grains, potatoes, beans, or any kind of leftovers. This can greatly expand your repertoire!

If your eating breakfast on the run, keep in mind that these fit perfectly onto toasted English muffins and can thus be portable."

4 medium (4inch) firm portobello mushrooms, caps intact
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium tomato (8 ounces), not too ripe
Half a medium bell pepper
About 1 handful fresh spinach leaves, clean and dry
Dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
About 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

THE MUSHROOM TREATMENT:
Remove and discard the mushroom stems, wipe the caps clean with a damp paper towel. Place a large, heavy skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Add the olive oil; wait about 30 seconds, then swirl to coat the pan. Place the mushrooms cap side down in the hot oil, and let them cook undisturbed for about 10 minutes. Turn them over and cook on the other side for 10 minutes, then flip them over more time and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more on their cap side once again. Leave them in the pan and set aside. (Keep "treated" mushrooms in your refrigerator for up to a week.)

TO MAKE THE PIZZAS:
Core the tomato and gently squeeze out the seeds through the opening. Cut the tomato and the bell pepper into very thin slices.

Preheat the broiler. While it is heating, place the mushrooms cap s down in a Pyrex or ceramic baking dish. Top each mushroom with a few spinach leaves, some slices of tomato and bell pepper, and pinches dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Take your time covering the top with grated cheese, tucking it into every crevice and cavity and trying to cover eve thing (including the edges of the mushrooms, so they won't burn un the broiler).

Broil until the cheese melts and is turning golden. Watch carefully, as t will take only about 5 minutes or less. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature, sprinkled lightly with red pepper flakes, if desired.

TO MAKE AHEAD:
The fully cooked pizzas reheat beautifully. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before reheating in a 300 degree F oven or a microwave.

Servings: about 2 (2 small pizzas apiece)
Adapted from source: Mollie Katzen's Sunlight Cafe by Mollie Katzen