Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Want to be the life of the party? Just make some of these Stuffed Mushroom Caps to take along and everyone will know you're a fun guy. (Fungi - get it?)

This is not the time to cheap out by going out to pick wild mushrooms though. Unless you're an expert on wild mushrooms, you might end up getting quite the opposite effect from being the "life" of the party.

These Stuffed Mushroom Caps are soooo good, you'll be tempted to call them "Magic Mushrooms". You probably shouldn't though as some people may get the wrong idea. Not everyone knows how to manage their expectations.

Yield: 24

Stuff You’ll Need:

• 24 large mushrooms

• ½ small onion

• 1 tsp minced garlic

• 2 tbsp cooking oil

• ¾ cup cheddar cheese, grated

• ½ cup bread crumbs

• ¼ cup butter, melted

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp seasoning salt

• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 1 dash hot pepper sauce (optional)

• 3 tbsp butter

Do This:

1. Wash mushrooms then dry with a paper towel.

2. Remove stems and set caps aside.

3. Combine mushroom stems, onion, and garlic in a food processor or blender and process until finely chopped.

4. Heat oil in a frying pan.

5. Add mushroom mix and saute over medium-high heat for 4 or 5 minutes.

6. Return mushroom mixture to processor and add cheddar cheese, bread crumbs, melted butter, Italian Seasoning, Seasoning Salt, Black Pepper & Hot Pepper Sauce.

7. Process until smooth, adding additional melted butter if required to make a smooth paste.

8. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

9. Preheat oven to 400° F

10. Heat butter in a frying pan and saute mushroom caps over high heat for 1 or 2 minutes.

11. Place caps on a lightly greased baking sheet and fill the centers of each cap with stuffing mixture.

12. Bake for 5 or 10 minutes or until heated through.

 Hint: If the mushrooms are large, cut into halves or quarters to serve.