Party Stuffed Mushrooms

This is my very first post and I am so excited that I could burst! I know I have jumped on this blogging bandwagon a little late, a new kid on the block or whatever but I hope to make up for it..starting from Right Now! Stuffed Mushrooms are party favorites at my home. This is a simple, yet mouth-watering dish that has been modified to appeal to my taste buds, at least (and hopefully others)..

Ingredients:

• 1 cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs
  
• 4 garlic cloves, grated
• 1 medium sized red onion, finely diced
• 1 big red pepper,finely diced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 28 large button mushrooms, stemmed (you may wash the stalks but the mushroom tastes better without the washing. I use a wet paper towel and just wipe is from crown to the bottom)
• Salt and cracked ground black pepper for taste
  
• 2 tablespoons cilantro (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan (optional)

Procedure:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Using a melon baller or a spoon open up the mouth of the mushroom.
  
• Dice the stalks finely.Save the bits/pieces as well as the mushroom stalks.
• In a pan, pour 2 tbsp of oil and add the garlic.Saute until it gives out a nice aroma and follow-up with onions and the diced stalks.
• Once they are browned add the diced red pepper and cook for 5 minutes. The red pepper will generate a lot of steam. At this point add the bread crumbs(and Parmesan if using) and salt.The resulting mixture shouldn't be soggy. If soggy, add more bread crumbs and cool it completely prior to stuffing the mixture.

 

•  Spoon the filling into the mushroom cavities and arrange on the baking sheet and drizzle/spray remaining olive oil over the filling in each mushroom.
• Bake for about 25-30 minutes until the mushroom is cooked.

Tip: The stuffing and the mushrooms can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.