Stuffed Portobello Mushroom – A Meal for One!
You will never guess what I did this weekend! Mr. Bunkycooks and I went to hang out in the woods and the mountains of North Carolina!
Now I know that you are wondering why on Earth I would choose to do such a thing after just having been to Camp Blogaway last weekend with my big camping experience in the San Bernadino mountains in California. As if I didn’t have enough of the altitude sickness, thin air and the wild animals (well, they weren’t really that wild…).
Anyway, this weekend we were only at 4,200 feet (not 7,000 as we were in California), so I did just fine with the altitude issue. That 2,800 feet in altitude change makes a huge difference in how you feel. And yes, there are bears and such in North Carolina, but I didn’t see any (although sometimes they do come around to the back deck, especially when I am cooking). Frankly, this weekend was to relax, visit with friends and catch up on all the Foodbuzz emails things I fell behind on while I was out in California. It was nice to take it easy and just kind of hang out. We all need some down time.
I actually had quite a bit of free time on Saturday because I was a golf widow alone most of the day. Now, other than spending way too much time on my computer, I am not a real relaxed kind of gal. In other words, I cannot sit still! They used to call that “ants in the pants” when I was a kid and now they call it ADD and treat it with Ritalin or Addrerall, but I am way beyond that. Wine works just as well!
So, what does a hyperactive food blogger do when they cannot sit still? They cook and take pictures! Yes, I took pictures of food (of course), but I also wandered outside to enjoy the day and take a few photos. It was such a beautious day…the great outdoors was beckoning me and I just had to go outside and take advantage of it.
When I finished playing outside, I was ravenous just a wee bit hungry, so I took the infamous peek into the fridge to see what was for lunch! Nothing was exciting to me except for the portobello mushrooms. Surely I could do something with them. (If not, then I am in serious trouble!) I also had some beautiful green onions and a red pepper from the farmer’s market, so I thought I would use them, too.
I grabbed a handful of some of my herbs that I planted in the hillside and in some pots a few years ago. They return year after year with no effort (that’s my kind of plant!)! After some futzing with a few different ingredients, I had a delicious lunch just for me! You can easily double or quadruple this recipe if you need to, but heh, I was all alone, so the recipe is for one! It also would be incredible with some sauteed sausage, cooked ground pork or well-seasoned ground turkey thrown in with the rest of the filling if you want a heartier meal. This would be perfect served with a lovely salad for an easy summer dinner. If you love to grill, you could also cook much of this outdoors.
I enjoy your writing and how you cross out words or phrases to sub others! It’s essential to have those types of restful weekends (and for hubby to play golf so you can! =) ). What an amazing gift from nature, that red bell pepper! Great image capture.
Mmm. All that cheese and then it’s carmelized on top…I can almost taste it! Sounds delicious as a meal or appetizer(s).
Thank you for your comment, Cristina! It was a nice weekend in the mountains. We also had a great time meeting everyone in CA the previous weekend. I hav eto admit that the one in NC was a bit more relaxing….
Such beautiful images Gwen….wow….and what a perfect recipe for stuffed portobello’s!!
thanks so much for sharing your recipe and adventure!
cheers
Thank you Chef!
I need to see what you are doing this summer while school is out…maybe you can come to the ATL and cook with us!
Gwen
The cheese is cooked to perfection. Wonderful dish & post. Can never go wrong with a pinch of HDP.
Cheers!
Hi Lazaro,
I agree on the HDP! I would have added more, but was afraid to confuse the photos! It really adds a nice, subtle flavor with just pinch!
Gwen
Oh wow, that golden melted cheese on top looks scrumptious. I can hear it calling my name right now…
Love your photos, it is always so pleasant to get out and enjoy nature, one of my favorite things to do (aside from cooking of course). 😉
Cooking, taking pictures and getting outside to enjoy the day…these things are special.
This looks DELICIOUS!
And have I told you that “futzing” is my favorite word? I say it all the time. 🙂
Looks like you spent your day doing what I wished I could do this weekend – forage around the house for inspiration; then put something together. It’s looks fantastic!
As for the pepper-inside-the-pepper, I see those little retards all the time! Just wait till you find green sprouts growin’ on the inside of your tomato.
[K]
One of my all time favorite meals. Love your version!
Dear Gwen – I love posts like these that are laid back and full of seasonal goodness. I am so glad you had a chance to put your feet up in NC.
Your dish is yummy!
No bear stories to share? 🙂
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Isn’t if great when hunger makes you so creative?
Mushroom & Cheese can’t be wrong…good post!
these are awesome love stuffed mushrooms but portobello is a huge treat! ……love these~
Looks delicious, and I love your photos:)
Beautiful scenery and then a beautiful meal. Wish I could do the same here 🙂
This one had my mouth watering before I even started scrolling down. (And you totally cracked me up with the “ants in the pants” joke – this coming from someone similarly programmed 🙂 As for the delightful recipe — I especially love the fresh herbs (and photos of same). Raising a virtual glass of pinot noir to your beautiful portobello in the wildwood.
great recipe, I love stuffed mushrooms, and the cheese just takes it over the top..
hey we all need time to unwind and just chill..i have about 2million foodbuzz emails, wow
sweetlife
We all need to just hit “delete” some days. That is what I finally did!
I think the braces were a hint. Are we the same person? GREG
Hi Greg,
I left you a msg. on your site. DO you have pink bands now? I signed up for this insanity after the trip to CA. That will really tell! 😉
Oh hey this looks scrumptious! This is so for me. I’m a big shroom fan and a even bigger cheese fan.
Thanks, Kathy!
This was so much better than what I just had our for dinner tonight. I think I will just stay home and cook stuffed mushrooms for a week or more! 😉
Your mushrooms look incredible and I love reading about your weekend and seeing all your beautiful photos, thanks for sharing the recipe!
Hi Patty,
Thanks! Can’ t wait to see what you are up to….
I make a similar recipe when my man is out of town (especially since he hates mushrooms). I stuff my portobello with ground turkey mixed with rosemary and parsley and then top it with Fontina cheese. It’s nice when a world with mushrooms returns 🙂
I know adding cooked turkey is really good. My hubby prefers the sausage thing (he is Italian, after all…), but turkey is better for you. Your preparation sounds great! 🙂
This looks so yummy! I am such a potobello fan and am always looking for new ways to use them. But my husband hates mushrooms of all kinds, so this meal for one is perfect for when it’s just me!
Hi Katie,
Cook this for yourself and maybe the hubby will decide he likes it, too. That has happened with me. We are eating far more meat than we used to.
Gwen
Golf widow, eh? You should learn to play! Nice that you can escape to your mountain retreat – we’re off to Montana in a few weeks and I can’t wait! The stuffed mushroom sounds divine.
Hi Denise,
I can hit the ball, but it cranks up all those middle-aged ailments (reason I won the private room). 😉 Ready to do lots more fun things, like attend your Concert In The Park Series! Have fun in Montana!!!
Hi Gwen,
have been meaning to read/write. Have been taking a break from being online so much.
Hahahaha.. hope you had fun in North Carolina 😉 Also, the mushrooms look super-fantastique. Gorgeous. I’ve been wanting to pick some up for ages and this may be the push to do so.
xoxo
Hi there,
Go get those mushrooms! These are really good!
This portobello is totally speaking to my desire to eat something topped with lots of melted cheese. Awesome.
Thank you for your comment, Joanne. I wish I had prepared one of these for dinner tonight!
That stuffed portobello looks so good! Beautiful forest picture forest NC!
Thank you Natasha!
There are all sorts of great photo ops in the mountains!
Gwen
You photos are beautiful! And this stuffed portobello looks amazing- A must try!
so yummy, healthy and simple!