Mushrooms, traditionally not known for their nutritional value, are actually a good source of the B vitamins niacin and riboflavin. A half cup of raw mushrooms supplies just 10 calories and no fat!

Celebration Stuffed Mushrooms

18 large mushrooms (wiped clean)
375 g spicy Italian sausage 3/ 4 lb
60 mL minced onion 1/ 4 cup
5 mL garlic powder 1 tsp
175 mL fine breadcrumbs, divided 3/ 4 cup
2 eggs, beaten with a little water
125 mL Western Family 1/ 2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 220C (425F).

2. Remove stems from mushrooms; chop stems; combine chopped stems with crumbled sausage meat (force meat out of sausages if necessary), onion and garlic powder. Saut quickly over high heat in a small skillet until half-cooked.

3. Combine half-cooked mixture with 60 mL ( 1 / 4 cup) crumbs; mix well.

4. Form sausage mixture into balls and stuff firmly into the 18 mushroom caps.

5. Place eggs and water in a small bowl; place remaining crumbs and Parmesan in another bowl. Dip each stuffed mushroom into the egg mixture and then the cheese mixture, rolling around enough to fully coat each mushroom and it's filling. 6. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake about 10-15 minutes. If preferred, cook on the BBQ.

Tip: Roasting unfilled mushroom tops at 160°C (350°F) for 15 minutes and cooling before stuffing, makes the finished product taste richer and less watery.

Makes 18 pieces.

Nutritional analysis per serving:
Calories 112, Protein 7 g, Fat 7 g, Carbohydrate 5 g