Mushrooms Stuffed with Bacon, Blue, & Cherry
Mushrooms. I could seriously eat them every single day of the week. Their earthiness is something I find hard to resist, whether grilled, sauteed, or in this case, stuffed.
I remember making stuffed mushrooms as a kid, with a recipe of Mom’s that involved lots of gooey mozzarella cheese. It was a favorite appetizer that our family made for special occasions, and there were never any leftovers.
This recipe for Mushrooms Stuffed with Bacon, Blue Cheese, & Dried Cherry is a little more involved than the one from my childhood, but incredibly worth the extra time and effort. The meaty bites are packed with flavor. Lots of yummy flavor. I love how the salty bacon and blue cheese is offset by little pops of sweet dried cherry. It’s a fabulous coming together of tastes and textures. My “blue cheese is gross” oldest daughter even downed a few. There really is no resisting.
Ile de France sent me some of their beautiful Roquefort over the holidays. And I have proceeded to enjoy it sprinkled on green salads, on crackers with a drizzle of honey, and as a major component in the awesome Mushrooms Stuffed with Bacon, Blue Cheese, & Dried Cherry. Creamy and robust, this cheese is both versatile and delicious!
Disclosure: Thanks to Ile de France for providing me with yummy Roquefort to sample. You can find Ile de France on facebook and twitter. All text and opinions are my own.
Mushrooms Stuffed with Bacon, Blue Cheese, & Dried Cherry
Ingredients
- 24 to 26 medium to large sized baby portabello mushrooms about 1-1/2″ to 2″ in diameter
- 4 slices bacon
- ¼ c. small diced shallot
- 4 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
- 4 oz. blue cheese crumbled
- 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme
- ⅓ c. small diced dried cherries I love the ones from Trader Joe’s!
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 2 T. dried bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Pop the stems off the mushrooms, then finely dice the stems. Set aside both the stems and the caps.
- In a skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Add the diced mushroom stems and shallots to the same skillet with the bacon drippings, and give a stir every now and then. Once the shallots and mushrooms have softened (turn the heat down if they are browning too much), about 10 minutes or so, remove them to another paper towel-lined plate to cool.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese and blue cheese. Stir in the thyme, cherries, black pepper, and the cooled bacon, mushroom stems, and shallots. Using a teaspoon, fill the mushroom caps with a mound of the cheesy stuffing. Place in a baking dish and sprinkle with a bit of bread crumbs. Pop them into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until softened and nicely browned. They are best eaten warm, so just let them cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tweeted it.
Following you on Twitter.
I love the addition of the dried cherries! My favorite cheeses lately are sheep’s milk cheeses and I eat them as a snack with some olives on the side.
The little mushroom appetizers are something my husband would devour. Me…if afraid I don’t eat mushrooms. They do look scrumptious though :)
P.S. Not entering the giveaway…good luck to all who did!
I love gouda and my favorite way to eat it is on hot bubbling french soup.
Cheese is like kids, you can’t pick a favorite because they are all so unique! However, I do love to take goat cheese and make beet napoleons using red and yellow beets and a nice thick aged balsamic drizzle. Top it all with chopped pistachios and place on a bed of delicate greens and serve.
I follow you on Twitter.
I love cheese! My favorite cheese, however, must be cheddar in all its iterations. I love a grilled cheese sandwich dripping with cheese and butter.
I don’t know that I could pick one favorite – I love all cheeses. I have a drawer in my fridge devoted to my cheese obsession. They’re like children – they’re all unique and special to me. Il de France does make excellent brie. It’s a regular at our house.
Like you on facebook.
Love goat cheese. Blue cheese too! In dishes, on salads. Anyway I can dream up or find to use them. Your mushroom recipes looks like it is worth trying.
Baked Brie
Using a lot of Tillamook cheddar lately…
I shared the giveaway on facebook (Connie Bolick Lee)
https://twitter.com/#!/ConnieBolickLee/status/155505614628470784
I tweeted the giveaway
rt=https://twitter.com/#!/gummasplace/status/155503635051200512
karenmed409 dot net
Like You on facebook-Gumma Medlin
karenmed409 dot net
I followed you on twitter. (ConnieBolickLee)
I liked you on facebook
I mostly eat cheddar cheese with crackers or a grilled cheese sandwich.