Stuffed Mushrooms and Memories

Only two days left until the beautiful Christmas holiday celebration.  My daughter and I had one last gift wrapping marathon last night and just about completed all our tasks for our long family weekend together, which is definitely overdue for all of us.

In my blog two years ago, I shared some of our special family ornaments that we have collected through our travels and hang on the tree every holiday season.  This year, we took trips to Atlanta, Georgia (for the first time) and also returned to our favorite vacation spot in Sunriver, Oregon...and of course returned with our memories and Christmas tree ornaments to treasure and remember the times with.

The World of Coca-Cola Headquarters and Museum 

and our tour of Atlanta, Georgia in March.

Memories of our Whitewater Rafting excursion

with Ouzel Outfitters in Blue River, Oregon in August.

This week while both girls were out for an evening, my husband and I decided to have one of our infamous "nosh nights".  Instead of just our typical go-to Genoa salami with Vermont sharp white cheddar cheese and rosemary garlic Triscuit crackers, I decided to take it up a notch and go for a little more fancy holidayesque platter...Crab Cakes with Dill Butter sauce, my favorite Stuffed Mushrooms and finished it off with Toasted Baguette slices with Fig Jam, Proscuitto and Cambozola Cheese, (which by the way is now my daughter's new favorite high end lunch...forget the basic grilled cheese sandwich, she is completely addicted to this.

These mushrooms are elegant enough for an 

upcoming New Year's Eve party or 

simply perfect for stay at home date night.

Stuffed Mushrooms

1 pound white, button mushrooms
1 cup Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs
2 Tbl. butter
1 small onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, finely diced
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Wash and dry mushrooms well.  Pull stems from mushroom caps (set caps aside).  Finely chop the mushroom stems.

In a large saute pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.  Add the chopped stems, onion and garlic.  Saute about 10 minutes until onion starts to turn light golden brown.  Turn heat to medium and add the panko crumbs and saute another 4 minutes.  Remove from heat and add the Parmesean and Mozzarella cheeses.  Stir well until cheeses have melted into the mushroom/onion mixture.

Spoon (about 1 heaping Tablespoon) each mushroom cap with the filling, pressing gently.  Bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet for 20 minutes (check after 10 minutes), until mushrooms are tender and stuffing is gold brown.

One Year Ago: Blueberry-Banana Muffins
Two Years Ago: Rouladen

Creamy Artichoke Bruschetta

It is now day 3 of Daylight Savings Time.  Everyone loves it when we "Fall Back" in time.  So far, I have not been a fan of it this year because all it means is one more hour of insomnia and the reminder that while everyone else is enjoying that extra hour of sleep, I am losing even more sleep.

I try to take advantage of any waking nights and am already thinking about upcoming holidays and family dinners.  For those of you entertaining this season, this is a great one for those guests.  Super easy, creamy and delicious!!  Sweet Dreams.

Creamy Artichoke Bruschetta
Adapted from www.thecookierookie.com

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 loaf (small) baguette, cut into slices
1/2 cup Best Foods Olive Oil mayonnaise
1/8 cup sour cream
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (8-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place the bread slices on a foil lined baking sheet and brush with olive oil.

Bake the bread for 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden, set aside.

In a food processor, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, chopped artichokes, garlic salt, parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Spread about 2 Tablespoons (depending on the size of your bread) of the mixture onto each slice of bread and sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Broil in the oven on high for 5-7 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden on top. (Watch closely to prevent from burning).

* Forgive the burnt ends in my photo...I must have fallen asleep while watching the oven.

One Year Ago: Cherry Cheesecake Brownies

Lasagna Soup and Life Back To Normal (Someday)

It has been quite a week since I was in New Mexico for our first long distance volleyball tournament.  The good news was that our team took first place in their division and in the spirit of the Olympics, they "brought home the Silver Medal".  The bad news was my daughter in the final 5 minutes of the last game for first place took a dive for the ball and got kicked in the head.

I watched and waited....not wanting to overreact, but also a flash of concern comes over me to see how bad it is.  Wait for it....then hear it comes, heavy tears streaming down her face, holding her head and she cannot get up off the court. Her coach helps her walk off and her team cheers for her.  All I can think of is concussion.  The team carried on as she and I sat on the sidelines and they brought sweet victory in the end.  Of course the rest of the night and during our 8 hour drive home, I kept waking her up to make sure she was okay (she wasn't really happy with me about interrupting her naps).

When we returned home, my other sick daughter was making a full recovery, which was a blessed sight to see.  Then the real fun started.....

Tuesday:  Took our dog Angus in for a tooth removal, which turned into 4 teeth and an eye skin tag removal $urgery. He came home barely able to walk from being heavily sedated.  Too many puppy martinis it looked like.

Tuesday and Wednesday:  Kitchen torn up for plumbing repairs and then drywall and paint patching.  I tried to pay off the contractor an extra $100 to keep my kitchen torn apart for the week so I wouldn't have to cook or do dishes...he didn't take the bait though, bummer.

Wednesday was my birthday.  Everyone asks me what I want for my birthday.  Every year I want a Personal Assistant just to be able to get through weeks like this.  I didn't get one, maybe next year.  I did however get showered with beautiful flowers, cards and well wishes from family and friends...can't ask for anything more than that.

Friday worked the last high school basketball game concession stand duties with both my girls.  I have never hustled so much popcorn, nachos and soft pretzels in my life (even more than working the state fair in my youth).  People do amaze me though and I just have to vent about this. Some other mothers that were gracious to show up and volunteer too (one in a fur vest and the other in a designer leather jacket, really???) Do they not understand that nacho cheese sauce is flying around this place and every batch of popcorn made, you end up with a canola oil facial!!!  They looked beautiful when they showed up for duties, I only hope their clothes didn't get ruined.

As we are preparing for Uncle Rick's (my husband's brother) arrival this week, Saturday and Sunday were equally schedule packed:  pest control service, carpets got professional shampoo cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, planning weekly dinner menu and shopping, car wash, laundry, paint touch up and the list goes on and on.  I know I am not the only household that does extensive house cleaning and "honey-do-list" when company comes.  It's amazing how much things get accomplished for house guests.

By Sunday night, I was beyond exhausted and needed an easy dinner....this one is awesome and doesn't get much easier.  A one pot wonder that also makes great lunch leftovers.

Lasagna Soup
Courtesy of Cuisine at Home Magazine

BROWN:
1	lb. bulk Italian sausage1 lb.
2	cups chopped onion2 cups
1	cup diced carrot1 cup
2	cups sliced button mushrooms2 cups
2	Tbsp. minced garlic2 Tbsp.
ADD:
4	cups low-sodium chicken broth4 cups
1	can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, chopped (14.5 oz.)1 can
1	can tomato sauce1 can
1	cup dry mafalda pasta1 cup
2	cups chopped fresh spinach2 cups
PLACE:
1	cup diced provolone or fresh mozzarella1 cup
1⁄4	cup shredded Parmesan1⁄4 cup
4	tsp. thinly sliced fresh basil

Brown sausage in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrot; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and garlic, and sauté 3 minutes more.
Add broth, stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce, and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
Place ¼ cup diced cheese in each of four serving bowls; ladle soup on top. Garnish each serving with Parmesan and basil.