Mushrooms are wonderful, medicinal and magical. I love the history of these amazing little fungi. Dating back to Ancient Rome, the healers of the time understood their amazing powers. High in antioxidants, vitamin D, and selenium, mushrooms provide many potent health benefits. Studies show that mushrooms help increase our immune response. They provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. A potent superfood, they help decrease the risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease and other chronic conditions.

 Centuries Old International Tradition  

Stuffed mushroom date back to 19th-century Italian cuisine. But the French spread their popularity in the 20th century. Over my life I’ve enjoyed many varieties of stuffed mushrooms. I would typically eat them at holiday parties or social events. At home I’ve tried making a variety of stuffed mushrooms. This one is my family’s indisputable favorites. My sons eat them up so fast that I have to make a double or triple batch!  It’s a quick-and-easy recipe you can whip up in less than 45 minutes. These stuffed mushrooms are more than plain delicious. They are “sinfully” delicious.  So, if you are looking delicious and healthy side dish that is sure to be a hit, try this! Put this recipe on the top of your must try list.

Stuffed with Healthy Ingredients

Check out the healthy ingredients of this garlic stuffed mushroom recipe:

Avocado oil 

I use avocado oil for its health benefits and flavors. It’s chock full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and nutrients we need.  Plus, I like the taste.

Garlic 

A common ingredient in many recipes, garlic is one of the most underappreciated superfoods. Garlic helps support heart health. It helps reduce cholesterol levels and helps reduce blood pressure. Garlic also boosts our immune response, helps combat sickness and provides many other health benefits.

Cream cheese 

Organic cream cheese is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin B2 (riboflavin).  Used in moderation, cream cheese adds just the right amount of creamy goodness texture to the stuffing. It’s the yummy ingredient that takes these mushrooms from plain delicious to “sinfully delicious”.

Parmesan cheese 

This stuffing includes parmesan cheese which is a good source of calcium and vitamin D. We need calcium, vitamin D and protein to support our bone health, particularly as we age.  By age 30, we have achieved maximum bone density. For that reason, it’s important to nourish our bones with good sources of calcium and vitamin D such as parmesan cheese.

Onion powder 

Since onion powder is low in salt, it’s a popular ingredient to help reduce sodium content in many recipes. Onion powder is also a good source of calcium, potassium and magnesium which is are some of the key nutrients we need to stay in healthy balance.

Cayenne pepper  

Red cayenne pepper is a potent medicinal ingredient dating back almost 10,000 years. The healing powers of cayenne come from its high potassium, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and vitamin E content.

Transformative Benefits of the Mighty Mushroom

Mushrooms can help transform our health. They have helped maintain vitality and overall well-being since ancient times. The variety of potent fungi on the planet provide diverse health benefits. For example, Chaga mushrooms from Finland help provide antioxidant benefits. And Reishi mushrooms from China support healthy immune function. Shitake-Maitake mushrooms, also from China, support general well-being. And Cordyceps mushroom mycelium aids vitality and endurance. Plus many more have special health benefits. Fungi are like Nature’s medicine chest. They are a medicinal food.

Powerful Nutrition in a Delicious Bite Size Morsel

The nutrient rich ingredients in these bite-size tasty mushroom morsels help support our health. This Garlic Stuffed Mushroom recipe is one of the tastiest ways I know that packs a powerful superfood punch in a tiny bite. Whether for a family meal or holiday gathering, these Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms are sure to be a hit. Even more, they are powerfully nutritious and sinfully delicious at the same time. Let me know what you think.

Grace Notes

The mushroom toad has symbolized transformative powers for centuries– both magical and medicinal. Mushrooms have symbolized special magical powers since ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to the modern classic literature. Alice nibbled on the most famous and magical literary mushroom in her Adventures in Wonderland. The Royalty of Ancient China commonly used Reishi mushrooms for medicinal benefits, especially to aid longevity. Above all, mushrooms are far more than a symbol of transformation. They are a medicinal food that has provided humans powerful health benefits since Ancient times.

Next time you see a cartoon of a toad stool, think of the amazing transformative benefits of the mighty mushroom!

Enjoy and Live Well with Zest!

xo

Bev

Written By Bev Hope

Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms

• Author: Bev Hope
• Prep Time: 25 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings, 2 each
• Category: Sides
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 12 whole fresh organic button mushrooms
• Avocado oil- 1 tablespoon
• 1 8-ounce package of organic cream cheese, softened
• Minced organic garlic- 1 tablespoon
• Grated organic Parmesan cheese- 1/4 cups
• Ground black pepper- 1/4 teaspoon
• Organic onion powder- 1/4 teaspoon
• Ground organic cayenne pepper- 1/4 teaspoon
• Ghee butter or regular butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease baking dish or baking sheet with Ghee butter
3. Remove cream cheese from package and let soften.
4. Clean mushrooms by brushing them gently with a damp paper towel.
5. Remove the stems and chop in extremely fine pieces, remove the tough edges.
6. Chop garlic in fine pieces if using fresh garlic.
7. Heat avocado oil or olive oil in stainless steel skillet over medium heat.
8. Add chopped mushrooms and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the moisture has reduced, without overcooking the garlic. Set aside to cool.
9. Stir garlic and mushroom mister in cream cheese.
10. Mix in Parmesan cheese, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper and stir well. Mixture should be very thick.
11. Use a small spoon, fill each mushroom cap with a heaping pile of cream cheese stuffing. Arrange the mushroom caps on the prepared backing dish or sheet.
12. Bake for 20 minutes in preheated oven or until the mushrooms are piping hot and liquid starts to form under the caps.

Notes

OPTIONS/ADD-INS

Stuffed mushrooms are a container for creative expression. Mix in your favorite herbs such as chives, tarragon, parsley, or basil, oregano, dill, or rosemary. Proteins such as egg, or sausage, pork, bacon, or veal meat add variety. Include plant-based protein such n chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, pine nuts or Macadamia nuts. Add chopped vegetables such as artichoke hearts, red peppers, scallions, or jalapenos. The possibilities are endless to create the perfect herb, spicy, or savory stuffed mushroom morsel.

Keywords: Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms

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Looking for delicious appetizers to share on game day? This gluten-free dip recipe is a sure winner for game day, potlucks, or movie nights. The mixture of roasted red peppers, almonds, and garlic creates a vibrant, diverse, and tangy range of flavors and textures that will enhance any chip, cracker, vegetable or favorite crudité you love to eat with dip.

Game Day Winner

The first time I made this Romesco Red Pepper Dip was on Super Bowl Sunday. I wanted a healthy option for me and my sons to nibble on whether the game turned out to be a thriller or a dud. We were rooting for the Patriots that year and we all liked Tom Brady and wanted him to win one more Super Bowl.

In the past we would have eaten an entire bag of tortilla corn chips with queso and salsa by half time. Much to my surprise, we had eaten half of the platter by half time and forgotten the chips. I knew it was a keeper recipe—no matter which team won the Super Bowl that year.

We were thrilled with the Patriot’s win that year and we also fell in love with this incredible Romesco Red Pepper Dip. Now it has become a favorite for every football Sunday. My sons even spread it on their favorite bread with cheese, turkey, some greens and make a quick and easy meal out of it. It’s a gluten-free, Paleo style dip that makes a great dip, topping or spread. Delicious, healthy, quick and easy, –it’s not only a winner, it’s an unbeatable keeper.

Here are the vibrant, diverse ingredients that blend into a perfect mouth-watering, tangy Mediterranean flavor you can’t resist.

Roasted Red Peppers

Roasted Red Peppers form the base of the dip giving it the red color and tangy flavor. Red peppers have a high concentration of vitamins A and C, provide over 200% of your vitamin C requirements, are rich in antioxidants, and help support your immune system and fight off free radicals and disease.

Almonds

Almonds are one of my favorite nuts for their taste, texture and vast health benefits. They are rich in healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, vitamin E, antioxidants and help support cardiovascular and heart health. They add a thickness and creamy texture to the dip that is hard to beat, and pairs well with the taste of most crackers or crudité’ dippers.

Garlic

Organic garlic gives this dip a little kick and mixes well with the feta cheese. Garlic is a super food that is loaded with antioxidants that help fight off diseases and infections and is one of the most medicinal foods for supporting heart health.

Feta Cheese

Greek Feta Cheese adds a luscious creamy texture that goes well with the almonds too. Feta cheese is rich in B vitamins, phosphorus, and calcium which helps support bone health. It also has many fatty acids and bacteria that are good for the gut health.

Sherry Vinegar

Sherry Vinegar is a dry, aged vinegar from Spain I like to have on hand because a small spoonful can enhance the flavor of sauces, dressings, and dips. But sherry vinegar is also known to support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Vinegars have been used for centuries to support digestion and promote liver detox. A spoonful a day can keep the doctor away.

Romesco Red Pepper Dip Makes Appetizers More Tasty and Healthy

Delicious and nutritious dips help make your crudites and appetizers more tasty and healthy. This Romesco Dip recipe will pep up your next party. Share with your friends and family and let me know what you think!

Grace Notes

Healthy eating and colorful eating go hand in hand. If it’s colorful, it’s probably good for you. It adds to the sensory delight and appeal of the dish. Be creative—the possibilities for enjoying this dip are countless. It’s a simple dish that brings health and happiness. What more can you ask for?

Enjoy and live Well with Zest!

Bev xo

 

Written by Bev Hope

Print

Romesco Red Pepper Dip

• Author: Bev Hope

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole roasted almonds
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup drained roasted red peppers (from a jar)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tsp sherry vinegar
• 1 tsp hot paprika
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1.  Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely chopped.
2.  Place oil and garlic in skillet on medium low heat. When mixture sizzles, wait 30 seconds then transfer to processor.
3. Add remaining ingredients to the food processor except salt and pepper.
4.  Process until well blended.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

ADD-INS

Make your own food rainbow around the dip. My favorites are red, orange, yellow and green peppers, colorful red and orange cherry tomatoes, purple endive, green celery, yellow squash, orange mini carrots.

Try any of your favorite Paleo style crackers and dippers. One of my favorite dippers is crisp plantain chips.

OPTIONS

If you don’t have Sherry Vinegar, you can replace it with other vinegars such as Rice Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, or Champagne Vinegar.

Add red pepper flakes to add some extra spiciness.

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