Baking Portabellos: Goat Cheese Delight

How Long Do You Bake Stuffed Portabellos with Goat Cheese?

The baking time for stuffed portabello mushrooms with goat cheese depends on the quantity of ingredients and the oven temperature. For instance, a recipe that serves four people with a cook time of 20 minutes in a 400-degree oven is available. Another recipe with a cook time of 12 minutes in a 375-degree oven is also available.

How to prepare the mushrooms

Preparing the mushrooms is a crucial step in making stuffed portobello mushrooms. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Cleaning and Pre-Cooking the Mushrooms:

Before stuffing the mushrooms, it is essential to clean them and remove any excess moisture. Mushrooms tend to absorb moisture, which can make them soggy. Here are some specific steps to follow:

• Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe the mushrooms clean. Avoid washing them under running water, as they will absorb the water.
• Remove the stems from the mushrooms. You can use kitchen scissors or a paring knife for this step.
• Use a small spoon to scrape out the gills of the mushrooms. This step helps reduce excess moisture and creates more room for the filling.
• If you wish to pre-cook the mushrooms to reduce moisture further, preheat your oven to 350-450°F. Place the mushrooms, stem side up, on a baking sheet and spray or brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Bake for 8-20 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Filling and Baking the Mushrooms:

Once your mushrooms are cleaned and pre-cooked (if desired), it's time to fill and bake them:

• Choose your desired filling. Popular options include a mixture of vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, onions, and garlic, combined with cheese such as goat cheese, mozzarella, or parmesan. You can also add breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices to taste.
• Stuff the mushroom caps with your chosen filling. Be generous, as the mushrooms can hold a good amount of filling.
• If using cheese, sprinkle it on top of the filling. This will create a delicious, crispy topping.
• Place the stuffed mushrooms in the oven and bake at 350-400°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the topping is golden.

Remember, the key to successful stuffed portobello mushrooms is to avoid excess moisture. By following these steps, you'll end up with delicious, flavorful mushrooms that are perfect as an appetizer or main course. Enjoy!

How to make the filling

Ingredients

• Goat cheese
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Fresh herbs (chives, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, etc.)
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Red onion
• Red bell pepper
• Spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Breadcrumbs

Method

The filling for your stuffed portabello mushrooms can be made in a variety of ways, depending on your taste preferences. Here are some general steps and tips to guide you:

• Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems and gills.
• If you are using breadcrumbs, melt some butter in a pan and toss the breadcrumbs in the butter. Set aside.
• In a bowl, mix the goat cheese with lemon juice, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. You can also add minced garlic to this mixture.
• If you are using spinach, heat some olive oil in a pan and add some shallots or red onion. Sauté until soft, and then add the spinach. Increase the heat and sauté until the spinach is wilted.
• If you are using sun-dried tomatoes, slice them and toss them with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. Roast them in the oven for about 25 minutes.
• Once the mushrooms are cooked, fill them with your desired mixture. Top with breadcrumbs or grated cheese, if desired.
• Bake the stuffed mushrooms until the cheese is bubbly and the mushrooms are tender.

How to cook the mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 4 large portobello mushrooms
• Goat cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Other fillings of your choice (e.g. spinach, breadcrumbs, herbs, tomatoes, etc.)

Method:

Before stuffing the portobello mushrooms, it is important to cook them first to remove some of their natural moisture. Portobello mushrooms have a very high water content, and cooking them prior to filling allows the moisture to evaporate and concentrates their flavour. This step also reduces the amount of liquid they will release later during the final reheating stage.

Clean and Prepare the Mushrooms:

• Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe the outside of each mushroom cap to remove any surface dirt.
• Remove the stems by pushing them from side to side until they pop out. You can use a paring knife to remove any remaining bits of the stem so that the inside of the mushroom is flat.
• Use a teaspoon or a small spoon to gently scrape out the dark brown gills from the inside of the mushroom cap.

Roast the Mushrooms:

• Preheat your oven to a temperature between 350°F and 450°F.
• Place the mushrooms on a rimmed baking sheet, stalk-side up, and brush or spray them lightly with olive oil.
• Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper.
• Roast the mushrooms for 10 to 25 minutes, or until tender. Keep an eye on them after 10 minutes to ensure they don't overcook.

Prepare Your Fillings:

While the mushrooms are roasting, prepare your desired fillings. Here are some filling ideas:

• Sautéed spinach: Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add sliced shallots or onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Then, add the baby spinach and sauté until just wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
• Crispy breadcrumb topping: Melt some butter in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped shallots and a pinch of salt, and cook for a couple of minutes. Then, add the breadcrumbs and minced garlic, and toast until the breadcrumbs are lightly golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
• Oven-roasted tomatoes: Slice cherry or grape tomatoes in half and toss them with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs like thyme. Roast them on a baking sheet for about 25 minutes.
• Goat cheese mixture: In a bowl, mix goat cheese with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil.

Assemble and Bake:

• Fill each roasted mushroom cap with your desired fillings.
• If you are using a breadcrumb topping, you can sprinkle it over the filled mushrooms.
• Bake the stuffed mushrooms at a temperature between 350°F and 425°F for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on them to ensure the breadcrumbs don't burn.

Tips:

• When picking portobello mushrooms, look for firm caps and gills. The skin should be dry and unbruised. Avoid shrivelled, bruised, or moist mushrooms as they are past their prime.
• For easier stuffing, look for large portobello mushrooms that are about 4 inches wide and have slightly deeper caps.
• If you don't enjoy the texture of mushroom gills, you can remove and discard them before roasting.
• You can also grill the stuffed portobello mushrooms on a barbecue instead of baking them in the oven.

How to serve the dish

How to Serve Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Whether you're serving stuffed portobello mushrooms as a starter, side, or main, there are plenty of delicious dishes that will complement them. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Salads

A fresh, crisp salad can be the perfect accompaniment to stuffed portobello mushrooms, especially if you're serving them as a main course. Try a simple spinach salad, or mix things up with a caprese or cobb salad. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try a wedge salad – a traditional steakhouse favourite that's sure to impress.

Breads

No meal is complete without some delicious, freshly baked bread! For a simple option, serve your stuffed portobellos with crusty bread or garlic bread. If you're feeling fancy, try making your own cheddar bay biscuits or cheesy pull-apart garlic bread.

Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a great way to add some extra flavour and texture to your meal. Try roasting asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, how about twice-baked potatoes or crispy onion rings?

Soups

If you're serving your stuffed portobellos as a starter, a soup can be a great way to start your meal. Try a comforting bowl of baked potato soup or taco soup, or keep things light and fresh with a simple chicken corn soup.

Mains

If you're serving your stuffed portobellos as a side, there are plenty of delicious main course options to choose from. Chicken parmesan, chicken udon noodles, or grilled flank steak would all be delicious choices. For a vegetarian option, how about a simple pasta dish like lemon basil pasta or bow tie pasta?

Extras

Looking for something a little different? Why not try serving your stuffed portobellos with mozzarella sticks, honey bread, or hard-boiled eggs? And don't forget the all-important drinks – a glass of wine or a fizzy drink would be the perfect accompaniment to this tasty dish!

Recipe variations

There are many ways to vary the goat cheese-stuffed portobello mushrooms recipe. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Variations in Cooking Method:

You can cook the stuffed portobello mushrooms in various ways, including:

• On the smoker: Smoking the mushrooms adds a unique flavour to the dish. You can experiment with different types of wood chips, such as mesquite, to add subtle flavour variations.
• In the oven: This is a convenient method, especially during winter. The cooking time is similar to that of a barbecue.
• Using an air fryer: Air fryers are a quick and easy alternative to traditional cooking methods when you're short on time.
• On the barbecue: Grilling the stuffed mushrooms adds a delicious, smoky flavour.

Variations in Ingredients:

You can experiment with different ingredients to add your personal touch to the recipe:

• Cheese alternatives: Feta, mozzarella, ricotta, or parmesan cheese are all excellent substitutes for goat cheese. You can also use a combination of cheeses to create a unique flavour profile.
• Add-ins: Try adding cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, chopped fresh spinach, thinly sliced red onion, or roasted red peppers to the stuffing mixture. These additions will enhance the flavour and provide a nice texture contrast.
• Herbs and spices: Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, rosemary, or basil can be added to the goat cheese mixture for an extra flavour boost. You can also experiment with different types of dried herbs and spices, such as oregano or crushed red pepper flakes, to create unique flavour profiles.
• Vegetarian option: For a vegetarian-friendly dish, simply omit the ground meat and increase the amount of vegetables and cheese in the stuffing mixture.
• Gluten-free option: To make the dish gluten-free, replace the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.

Serving Suggestions:

These stuffed portobello mushrooms are versatile and can be served in various ways:

• As a main dish: Serve two mushrooms per person, accompanied by a simple salad and rosemary potatoes.
• As an appetizer: Look for smaller portobello mushrooms or use Cremini mushrooms, which are a smaller variety. One mushroom per person should be sufficient as an appetizer.
• With a side of grains: If serving the mushrooms as a side dish, one mushroom per person is usually enough. You can pair it with grains like couscous, quinoa, or orzo to make a more substantial meal.

Frequently asked questions