Stuffed Mushrooms

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Between the holidays and moving, there has been alot going on! Hope all of your holidays were just what you hoped they would be!

I decided to come up with a yummy stuffed mushroom to share with my family for the holidays. This recipe makes 24 and I can say that there wasn't a morsel left! I dreamed about them last night they were so good! Mushrooms are excellent for you and your kids, but I know sometimes they can be a challenge at the dinner table. This recipe is sure to please. And once your kids see how delicious a mushroom can be, add them as a healthy addition to salads, pizza, spaghetti sauce, omelets, etc! They are very versatile and many different varieties are available to experiment with. See a bit about the nutritional content of mushrooms below.

* Without additional ingredients, a serving (5 medium-sized mushrooms) has only about 20 calories, no cholesterol and virtually no fat and sodium.
* Mushrooms are high in riboflavin, a B-vitamin that promotes healthy skin and good vision.
* Niacin, another B vitamin found in mushrooms, ensures that the digestive and nervous systems function as they should.
* Pantothenic acid, also found in mushrooms, is involved in the production of hormones.
* Mushrooms are an important source of potassium; one medium-sized portabella contains more that a banana.
* Selenium is an essential mineral that plays an important role in the immune system, the thyroid system, the male reproductive system and cancer prevention; mushrooms are the only produce item that contains significant amounts.
* Copper, also found in mushrooms, aids iron in its role in making the red blood cells that deliver oxygen to all the cells in the body.
* Scientists are looking into the role that white mushrooms may play in treating and preventing breast cancer.
* Laboratory studies suggest that a mushroom extract may help prevent heart disease by reducing blood lipids and cholesterol levels.
* Researchers are taking a serious look at the medicinal potential of both shiitake and maitake mushroom extracts in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
--information taken from modern mushrooms farms, inc.

24 large button mushrooms, wiped clean and stems removed(reserve about 12 stems and mince)
1/2 small onion or 1 large shallot, minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 C. flat leaf parsley, minced
1/2 lb. spicy italian sausage(turkey or pork)
2/3 C. freshly grated parmigiano reggiano
1 C. panko bread crumbs(more if the mixture seems too wet)
2 TBS. olive oil and more to drizzle
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. In a large frying pan add olive oil and saute the onions, garlic and minced mushroom stems. When they start to brown, add in crumbled sausage and cook until browned. If there is alot of extra fat, drain excess and pour mixture into a large bowl. Add parsley, cheese, bread crumbs and salt and pepper. Toss together. Place clean mushrooms with cavity side up on the baking sheet. Drizzle or spray with a little olive oil and then fill each mushroom to almost overflowing with the sausage mixture. Bake about 25-30 min until the mushrooms have softened and the mixture has browned. Makes 24.