Yield: 4 servings
Oven: 375 deg.
Ingredients:
15 medium mushrooms about 2 inches in diameter
½ C fresh Oregon Dungeness Crab
2 T olive oil plus extra for drizzling
2 scallions, including 2 inches of the green top, minced
1 large clove of garlic, minced
2 ½ T chopped parsley, flat leaf preferred
3T grated Italian Parmesan cheese
¼ c good quality mayonnaise
salt and pepper
Tabasco
1T dry white wine
bread crumbs
Procedure:
1. Remove the stems from the mushrooms discarding the very bottom, and then mince the stems along with three of the mushrooms.
2. In a sauté pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the minced mushroom, scallion, garlic and parsley. Sauté gently until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the crab, Parmesan cheese, Tabasco, mayonnaise, and the salt and pepper to taste. If the mixture seems too damp add a few bread crumbs.
4. Fill each mushroom cap with the stuffing using your hand to form a nice even mound.
5. Place the filled mushrooms on a baking sheet, the drizzle with a little olive oil and a little white wine.
6. Bake until the mushrooms are soft and golden brown. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Chef’s Notes: This is the recipe for The Jackalope Grill’s stuffed mushroom appetizer.
When preparing this dish remember to make sure you are happy. I am a firm believer that your goodwill is passed on through your cooking. If it is before 5 o’clock, feel free to pour yourself a little glass of champagne or a tonic of some sort. If you are preparing this wonderful dessert after the 5 o’clock hour, please help yourself to a glass of wine or maybe even a martini.
Finely chop 8 oz. of dates. Make sure the dates are pitted so the chopping will be easy. Bring 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of Kahlua to a slight boil then add to the dates and let sit to cool.
In a mixing bowl add one stick of room temperature butter and 1 cup packed brown sugar. Beat until creamy. Add 4 room temperature eggs one at a time to mixture. Incorporate 1-3/4 cups self-rising flour, 1 tsp. baking powder and 1 Tbs. instant coffee crystals into mixture — do not over mix.
Put chopped dates put into food processor and puree the heck out of them. While you are doing this make sure not to stick your fingers into the processor — it could be very painful, and you may have to start again once you have returned from the hospital. Add date to flour mixture and mix until smooth.
Pour into a 9-inch round or square baking dish and bake at 350° for approximately 45 minutes. The cake should be golden brown and spongy. Let sit to cool off.
After preparing the cake and enjoying a short nap, now you’re ready to prepare the toffee sauce.
In a sauce pan mix:
¾ cup butter
1 ½ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
½ tsp. vanilla
Heat until nice and warm — the sauce should start to thicken. Add some scotch to the mixture. The amount will depend on how much fun you wish to have. Do not use your finest 15-year barrel-aged scotch — this will ruin the sauce with the taste of peat. In other words, pour the good stuff into a glass with 3 cubes of ice, and dump the cheap stuff into the sauce.
Enjoy with friends!
-Kathy
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Yields: 4 Servings
2 cups Creamy Italian Dressing
1 lb. Tortellini pesto pasta, pre-cooked al dente
6 oz. hard sausage, chopped into ½” cubes
6 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, cut into ½” cubes
8 oz. whole baby corn, canned, drained
8 oz. Artichoke hearts, marinated drained
½ cup whole pitted Kalamata olives
To taste: Salt and Pepper
Procedure:
1. In a large bowl, combine sausage, Gouda, baby corn, artichoke hearts and olives; mix gently.
2. Add the al dente tortellini to the other ingredients, pour 1 cup of the dressing over the ingredients and mix gently.
3. Let stand one hour to blend flavors. Enjoy!
Chef’s Notes: My recipe for Creamy Italian Dressing has previously been published. I particularly like the dry pasta available at Trader Joes. It comes in a one-pound package and although it says to cook for 12-14 min., I had good luck cooking it only about 9-10 minutes. Try substituting other hard cheeses for the Gouda—interesting choices would include smoked cheddar, asiago, farmhouse English cheddar, and imported Provolone. Other pitted olives such as Picholine or Nyons could be substituted. Try adding marinated mushrooms. Finally, let your imagination be your guide.