The Secret of the Stuffed Mushroom

How do you know if someone truly enjoyed your cooking?

Sure, they may compliment you or rave about it to other guests and friends. That's always an ego booster but, how would you know undoubtedly that the food you prepared was something delicious? If they ask for it again and again. If your recipe becomes a staple menu item on holiday tables, birthday party lists as well as small family gatherings, you know that you've got it right.

It's amazing to me that I have an item like this - my stuffed mushroom recipe, which has been affectionately known as my "Famous Stuffed Mushrooms." One day, I was playing around with ingredients in the kitchen and literally whipped together a few things. That's when I stumbled across this mushroom recipe. I tried it first on my husband (my boyfriend at that time) and after getting two thumbs up, brought it to Thanksgiving Dinner at my grandmother's house. The rest is history.

I will finally share the simple recipe with all of you.

• First, in a medium-sized bowl, mix together one 8 oz. container of crumbled bleu cheese (Treasure Cove or a similar brand)
• Add in 3 heaping tablespoons of whipped cream cheese and blend together
  
• Pour in 1 cup of Italian bread crumbs and season with fresh cracked pepper and a pinch of garlic powder
• Set aside to let cream cheese mix soften and prepare mushrooms
• Take two containers of small whole white mushrooms and carefully remove the stems.
• Clean out the center as gently and thoroughly as possible to prep for the cheese mixture.
  
• Fill each mushroom over the top with cheese filling.
  
• Spray the bottom of a glass baking dish with olive oil spray. Place filled mushrooms tightly together on the dish. Then spray a bit of the olive oil spray on top of the mushrooms lightly. (Do not drench in oil!)
  
• Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on the top of the mushrooms.
  
• Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or broil until they are slightly brown and bubbling on top.
  

So, what's the secret ingredient that makes these mushrooms so appealing? There is no secret. They are made with care and with confidence as all of my meals are. That is the most important thing in any recipe.

I've been asked before if I will try to add different ingredients to these such as crab meat, or change the cheese mixture to make it spicy. I've also been reprimanded by others to, "never change this recipe and always bring these to everything." My response is always, "If the people love it- give them what they want." I wasn't always a confident cook but I feel that I did improve 100 percent when I found that feeling.

One of my favorite new Disney animated films is Ratatouille. To quote Remy, but not to avoid being corny for a moment, "Anyone can cook." You just have to believe that you can and you have to want to create. Enjoy what you're making and others will too.

I personally hope that all of you make my stuffed mushrooms and enjoy eating them just as much. You should be creative with them as well. Maybe you will come up with a "famous" idea for your family and friends.