North End Stuffed Mushrooms & a Secret Santa

Authentic North End Stuffed Mushrooms

Nonni got this great recipe at one of the restaurants in Boston’s North End (the Italian section) during the 70s! Like any great recipe I don’t have measurements for you. It is more a feeling of consistency and of color. Some grated cheese, a dollop of sauce and lots of EVOO! If you’re going to any open houses or looking for something to bring on Christmas Day this is a really great recipe. If you like making Italian food then you probably already have most of the ingredients.

Authentic North End Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushrooms (not stuffing mushrooms, just the regular kind)
Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs (I like progresso)
Marina Sauce (use your favorite)
EVOO
Dried herbs (garlic, fennel, parsley, basil, oregano)

My sous chef Conor

Pour breadcrumbs in a small bowl and add the dried herbs. I say the more the merrier. If you have kids this is a great way to get them involved. Conor had so much fun shaking all the herbs.

Then pour in EVOO and mix it together. You want it to be the consistency of wet sand. Add a little marinara sauce. For this recipe I used Giada’s Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce but you can use whatever you like. We LOVE cheese in our house. Add enough so that the breadcrumbs look pink:

Next grate fresh parmesan cheese in and mixed it all together.

With a damp paper towel wipe down the mushrooms and take the stems off. Then fill the tops. This is another great time to call on young chefs for some help. Look at that concentration and determination:

Chef John (5) and Chef Conor (2)

Coat the pan with olive oil and then place the stuffed mushrooms on top. This time I didn’t use foil, but I like them better with foil as they kind of crisp up on the bottom and don’t get slimy:

Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until the mushrooms are golden brown on top. They are delicious – a taste of Italy in each bite!

Conor was quite upset that he didn’t get to try the mushrooms he helped prepare. Instead I whisked them away to a Santa Swap with some girlfriends.

Beth made some fantastic appetizers and we enjoyed bubbly, baked ham and other assorted treats. I love the J.Crew night shirt my secret santa got me and also love this sweet candle that Beth gave each of us. The fragrance is Christmas at the Beach and a perfect gift for all of us who will be celebrating Christmas on the coast.