Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Making a Menu

Due to recent events, it seems that Thanksgiving Dinner is now partially in my hands, along with those of my brother.

Bless my brothers heart, his cooking skills don't reach too far out of the confines of the frozen section of the Food Lion. But as for me- I couldn't be more excited to finally have a starring role in the Thanksgiving Day Feast Menu Compilation.

My contribution this year will be mashed potatoes and stuffed mushrooms with Marscapone cheese and spicy sausage.

Both of these recipes can be found within the master minds behind Foot Network- The Barefoot Contessa and Food Network Magazine.

Ingredients

  • 16 extra-large white mushrooms
  • 5 tablespoons good olive oil, divided
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons Marsala wine or medium sherry
  • 3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage, removed from the casings
  • 6 scallions, white and green parts, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2/3 cup panko crumbs
  • 5 ounces mascarpone cheese, preferably from Italy
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Last year, I slaved over these babies... but they were a huge hit! I thought I'd invite them back again this year...


Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Remove the stems from the mushrooms and chop them finely. Set aside. Place the mushroom caps in a shallow bowl and toss with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and Marsala. Set aside.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, crumbling it with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook the sausage for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until it's completely browned. Add the chopped mushroom stems and cook for 3 more minutes. Stir in the scallions and garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the panko crumbs, stirring to combine evenly with all the other ingredients. Finally, swirl in the mascarpone and continue cooking until the mascarpone has melted and made the sausage mixture creamy. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan, parsley, and season with salt and pepper, to taste, Cool slightly.
Fill each mushroom generously with the sausage mixture. Arrange the mushrooms in a baking dish large enough to hold all the mushrooms in a snug single layer. Bake until the stuffing for 50 minutes, until the stuffing is browned and crusty.

Now this is the first year I'll tackle the 'taters... but thank goodness for Food Network Magazine's special on easy 

Super easy, so delicious...



1. Classic
Cover 2 pounds whole russet or Yukon gold potatoes with cold salted water; simmer 45 minutes. Drain, peel and mash with 1/2 to 1 stick butter. Add 1 cup hot milk, and salt and pepper; mash until smooth and fluffy.


What will be gracing the table at your Thanksgiving Feast? Fill me in before I fill up!

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