Stuffed Mushrooms With Ricotta Surprise

Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele 2011

Stuffed Mushrooms With Ricotta Surprise

Yield: Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Ricotta cheese is hidden within the mushroom to keep it moist and tender.

Ingredients:

12 Medium Sized Button Mushrooms
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Pancetta or Bacon
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Onion, Finely Diced
1 Large Garlic clove, Peeled & Finely Minced
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley
1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs
3 Tablespoons White Wine
3 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt & Pepper
For The Ricotta Mixture & Baking the Mushrooms:
1/2 Cup Ricotta Cheese
Salt & Pepper
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Directions:

Wipe the mushrooms clean, and pop out the stems.
Finely dice 1/3 cup of the mushroom stems.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil and cook the onion, chopped mushroom stems and pancetta until the vegetables are softened and the pancetta lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook another minute or two.
Remove from the heat and add the parsley, breadcrumbs, and grated cheese.
Season with salt and pepper and moisten with the wine.
Season the ricotta with salt and pepper.
Place the mushrooms in a baking dish and using a spoon fill each with about a teaspoonful of cheese.
Top the cheese with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly with your fingers to help it adhere.
Drizzle the filled mushroom caps with the remaining olive oil, and bake for about 25 minutes or until the mushroom is softened and the topping lightly browned.
Cool 10 minutes before serving.