Herb Butter Mushrooms With Smoked Mozzarella

June 21, 2009

Herb butter mushrooms with smoked mozzarella

A few months ago when a friend requested I make mushrooms for an office potluck, I was instantly reminded of a recipe I had from my rounds at the city’s chic restaurants where the chefs demonstrate recipes, let you sample some and give you copies of the recipe. I loved going for these and making local foodie friends. Most places gave a bag of goodies and even spread out a buffet of the food demonstrated (much to my glee). At one such restaurant, I had the most delicious stuffed mushrooms topped with Danish mozzarella. Full of flavour and distinctly garlicky – YUM!

So as soon as mushrooms were requested, I went looking for my recipe file. I looked around the house and ended up finding it months later(today!) in the loft where mum had tucked away a gazillion recipe cut-outs, food books and magazines of mine. I was ecstatic!to finally find my recipe file! Oh, but wait a minute, the entire set from that restaurant was missing – back to the drawing cutting board.

With some button mushrooms at hand today, I craved for those plump stuffed garlicky mushrooms topped with mozzarella cheese and grilled under the broiler until just done. I had to recreate it.

Herb butter mushrooms with smoked mozzarella

I wiped the mushrooms clean, twisted the stems, chopped them up and brushed the mushrooms with some olive oil. Next, I minced 4-5 cloves of garlic with a few sprigs of thyme (excellent fragrance; getting there!), mixed it with the chopped stems and stuffed the mushrooms back with it. How do I make them plump and moist, instead of making them look dry after coming out of the broiler? I cut up some cold butter into tiny cubes and topped the stuffing with it, so as it heats, the butter seeps in and keeps the inside moistened. Next, I sliced some smoked mozzarella and topped the stuffed mushrooms with it. Finally, seasoned it with salt and pepper and pushed it under the broiler. In a little over 5 minutes, the cheese was bubbling, the kitchen was fragrant and the juice in the pan was totally lick-worthy!

These mushrooms turned out way better than I expected. The next time I make it, I’m going to make sure I double triple the quantity!

Herb Butter Mushrooms With Smoked Mozzarella
Serves: 2

8 oz./225g button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
4-5 sprigs of thyme leaves
15g/1tbsp cold butter, cut into tiny cubes
Olive oil to brush the baking sheet and mushrooms
1 oz./30g smoked mozzarella or Danish mozzarella ( I prefer smoky flavours, any day)
Salt and pepper
Scant handful of chopped parsley for garnish

  1. Brush the pan with olive oil and place the mushrooms gill sides up with the stem removed.
  2. Chop the stem and mix it with the garlic and thyme and stuff it back into the mushroom.
  3. Dot the mushroom stuffing with cold butter.
  4. Brush with olive oil and top it with thin slices of mozzarella cheese.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Slip the pan under a broiler for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and the mushrooms fragrant.
  7. Transfer to a plate, garnish with cilantro and serve immediately!
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  2. Garlicky Herb Twists
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Simran June 21, 2009 at 1:01 pm

I had something similar at Penne and totally loved it. Your version looks great

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2 The Purple Foodie June 21, 2009 at 6:13 pm

Thanks Simran! :) )

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3 Snooky doodle June 22, 2009 at 12:20 am

I love mushrooms and baked like this must be delicious :)

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4 Dana June 22, 2009 at 2:38 am

That looks like perfect party food! yum!

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5 Maria June 22, 2009 at 5:59 am

I love mushrooms, great way to use them!

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6 Ingrid June 22, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Okay, I LOVE mushrooms, so you KNOW, that these look and sounds A-mazing! Thanks for sharing. Seriously thanks!
~ingrid

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7 Shaheen June 23, 2009 at 1:19 am

Dana: I was thinking the exact same thing while writing the post!

Maria, Ingrid, Snooky Doodle – thanks :)

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8 Deborah June 23, 2009 at 8:59 am

Not only do these look elegant, but they sound AMAZING!

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9 Rachel June 23, 2009 at 5:10 pm

I made these as starters for a get together and thanks to you it was a hit!

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10 Shaheen June 23, 2009 at 11:53 pm

Thanks Deb. :)

WOW Rachel, I'm so glad to hear this :D :D

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11 tastestopping June 24, 2009 at 4:32 pm

I just left a comment on your cheddar and garlic biscuit post, saying I could eat them alone for dinner. But, I've changed my mind, because I think these beauties (along with the biscuits) are really what I'd want! Of course, mozzarella helps just about anything taste delicious! I wonder if you could grill them, instead of using the broiler (thinking about summer cooking).

I found you on TasteSpotting and am writing to say that if you have any photos that aren’t accepted there, I’d love to publish them. Visit my new site (below), it’s a lot of fun! I hope you will consider it.

Best,
Casey
Editor
http://www.tastestopping.wordpress.com

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12 nandini June 24, 2009 at 8:53 pm

purple .. its gorgeous … tried it and loved it. thanx

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13 baobabs June 24, 2009 at 10:02 pm

What a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing and you have amazing photos!

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14 United States The Purple Foodie from Texas, United States June 25, 2009 at 12:40 am

thanks tastestopping for letting me know. However, I'm not flattered by the offer. :)

Nandini: Great! I'm so happy you loved it! :D

Baobabs: thanks :) do try it.

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15 Ria Mathew June 25, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Lovely! they look sooo yum! Loved the pics! :)

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16 United States pigpigscorner from Texas, United States June 25, 2009 at 7:59 pm

They look so appetising! I've never had smoked mozzarella. But it sure sounds wonderful being smoked!

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17 Jackie @PhamFatale.com June 25, 2009 at 9:57 pm

The use of smoked mozzarella is genius. My hubby is a vegetarian and veggie food can taste less flavorful. I love the meatiness of mushrooms as well. This recipe is a keeper

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18 The Purple Foodie June 25, 2009 at 10:23 pm

Thanks, Ria. :)

Pigpigscorner: You should try smoked mozzarella. I'm a sucker for smoky flavours in meat and cheese.

Jackie: Mushrooms and paneer are on the top of the list for my vegetarian friends

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19 Robin Sue June 26, 2009 at 6:58 pm

Smoked mozzarella is a brilliant topping to stuffed mushrooms. Great recipe, will have to try this as I love stuffed mushrooms!

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20 Bren June 27, 2009 at 7:23 am

first time here and what a great recipe to come to! i loooove mushrooms! looove. loooove. loooove!

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21 Deeba PAB June 27, 2009 at 9:01 am

Just goegeous Purple, just gorgeous. I love what you've done with this perfect combination…you should be a chef!! I mean not a home chef but a pro chef!! =)

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22 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella June 27, 2009 at 10:31 am

Oh I feel your dismay at not finding your recipes. It's happened to me a couple of times. However these look magnificent and great cocktail party food!

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23 Nags June 27, 2009 at 2:43 pm

This looks amazing! I am sure they will work with portobello too, right?

I am surprised I haven't seen your blog before this!

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24 Shaheen June 28, 2009 at 11:22 pm

Thanks, Robin. 

Bren! Your comment made me smile from ear to ear!

Deeba thank you.That is the sweetest thing ever! Will go down that route soon. :)

Lorraine: I’m kinda happy I didn’t find it because I ended up creating these and everyone loves them so much, I’ve made them thrice this week.

Nags: Of course they will work with portobellos! I actually first imagined these with potabellos, but we just don’t get them here. :(

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25 United States Grumpy and HoneyB from Texas, United States September 11, 2009 at 7:28 pm

These look awesome!

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26 Soma September 11, 2009 at 7:48 pm

Love mushrooms & stuffed are even better. The herbs & the butter do magic to the mushrooms.

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27 The Ordinary Vegetarian October 12, 2009 at 9:23 pm

Mushrooms are my fave! What a great appetizer or side dish. Hmmm or maybe I would just eat a whole plate for dinner. Loving your blog, totally adding you to my reader!

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28 The Purple Foodie October 12, 2009 at 11:10 pm

HoneyB: Thank you!

Soma: You're bang on!

The Ordinary Vegetarian: Thank you so much. Hope to see you around more often!

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