Mushrooms always remind me of Smurfs and how they use them for shelter and food. Even their tiny houses resemble mushrooms. Gargamel probably does not know what he is missing out on, or maybe he is also after those mushrooms and covering it up with Smurfs. Inarguably, they must make the best stuffed mushrooms in that village! I am not here to compete, but I also have a quick, easy, and tasty recipe that I am sure both Smurfs and you would like to give a try.

Mushrooms are a great source of fiber and protein. They contain beta glucan, antioxidants, copper, potassium, and B vitamins. On a side note, Shiitake mushrooms have the most fiber among other types. Did you know that mushrooms can protect your brain? Eating a few button mushrooms regularly can reduce neurological illness risk in the long run. It is a great way to protect your brain and enjoy delicious food on the side.

Most people either love or hate mushrooms. Actually, hating is usually a result of being feared of them. Some people are afraid of all types of fungi and mold. It is understandable if you grow up in an environment where everyone tells you to stay away from mushrooms. Interestingly, mushroom lovers and the people who fear them have unique names! For example, a Mycophile is a person who fancies hunting wild edible mushrooms. It is not an easy task, though, as mushrooms can be deadly if you do not know which one to pick. And, the word Mycophobia is used to describe the fear of mushrooms. It is best to buy your mushrooms from trusted grocery stores. I personally cook commercial ones and stay away from the naturally picked versions from outdoors.

What tools you will need:

Making stuffed mushrooms involves regular kitchen tools. So, you do not need to buy any special equipment. However, I highly recommend getting yourself a quality mushroom cleaning brush with soft nylon bristles. If you choose to wash the mushrooms, you will end up with tons of water in the pan. Eventually, the cooking period will increase unnecessarily. Note that you can use this brush on other vegetables, such as potatoes.

Stuffed Mushroom Recipe

Mushrooms are very versatile. You can prepare them in many different ways. I like them best baked in the oven or stir-fried. However, mushroom soup is also another favorite of mine. And don’t forget about the creamed and sautéed version, which is also great with sandwiches and burgers.

The following recipe is very easy. All you need is to clean the mushrooms, prepare the filling, and then stuff them.

How do you make stuffed mushrooms not soggy?

Mushrooms contain high amounts of water that would steep out when you cook or bake them. One thing to overcome this issue is to avoid washing the mushrooms. Instead, you need to dry clean them. In general, commercially produced mushrooms are safe to eat unwashed. There are special mushroom brushes for this task. You can also peel the mushrooms with a knife. Keep in mind that mushrooms are very difficult to fully dry if you wash them. Also, make sure you cook or bake the mushrooms at high heat (preferably at 400 °F) to speed up the evaporation process. If you still have too much water left in the pan, you can use it as a mushroom broth for rice or pasta. However, you need to use drinking water in the first place if you intend to use the excess water.

What cheese goes with mushrooms?

You can stuff mushrooms with most types of cheeses. However, sharp cheddar adds extra character and depth to the flavor enormously. Ricotta, mozzarella, Jack, Muenster, and Swiss also go great with mushrooms. Make sure you add garlic and chopped parsley too. Some prefer to stuff mushrooms creatively with such ingredients as bacon, basil, ham, leeks, lemon, and fish. Last but not least, cream cheese is also a great alternative. As tasty as it sounds, you need to mix cream cheese with another hard cheese (Parmesan) to prevent it from getting completely melted during baking. All you need is to blend equal amounts of cream cheese and grated Parmesan along with your favorite spices and herbs.

What is the healthiest way to cook mushrooms?

The best way to receive the most nutritional benefits from mushrooms is to microwave or grill them. Antioxidant and polyphenol levels rise significantly when you do so. Boiling or frying is still good but these methods provide fewer benefits in comparison. However, they are still the tastiest options.