Laura Smith
Crab-stuffed mushrooms are a delicious and easy dish to make, perfect for a party or light supper. The recipe involves stuffing mushroom caps with a mixture of crab meat, cheese, and various herbs and spices. The mushrooms are then baked in the oven until golden brown. While there are many ways to make this dish, most recipes agree on a few key steps: cleaning the mushrooms, making the filling, stuffing the mushrooms, and baking them. The type of mushroom, crab meat, cheese, and seasoning used can be varied according to preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Button, cremini, baby bella, portobello, or white mushrooms |
| Mushroom size | Medium-sized or smaller |
| Crab meat type | Cooked, fresh, canned, lump, imitation, or precooked |
| Other ingredients | Cream cheese, butter, bread crumbs, croutons, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, green onions, shallots, Parmesan, parsley, thyme, oregano, savory, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white wine, egg, dill weed, Mexican cheese, mozzarella, Monterey Jack cheese |
| Oven temperature | 350-400°F (175-200°C) |
| Baking time | 15-25 minutes |
| Broiling time | 1-2 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Lemon slices, paprika, thyme leaves, chopped chives, old bay seasoning, pomegranate molasses, herbs de Provence |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right mushrooms
Type of Mushroom:
The most commonly used mushrooms for stuffing are button mushrooms, cremini, baby bella, and portobello mushrooms. You can also use white mushrooms, as they have a nice shape and flavour suitable for stuffing. Cremini mushrooms are a good choice if you want a smaller option for bite-sized appetizers.
Size of Mushroom:
The size of the mushrooms you choose will depend on the occasion and your preference. Smaller mushrooms are ideal for parties or appetizers as they can be eaten neatly in one bite and allow the crab flavour to shine. For a main course, you may opt for medium-sized or large mushrooms, such as portobello mushrooms. Keep in mind that cooking time may vary depending on the size of the mushrooms.
Freshness and Quality:
Always select fresh, firm mushrooms with intact caps. Avoid mushrooms that are slimy, wilted, or have discoloured spots. Look for mushrooms with a pleasant earthy aroma, avoiding any with a strong odour.
Quantity:
Consider the number of servings you need and choose an adequate quantity of mushrooms. For a party or gathering, you may want to get a larger quantity, especially if using smaller mushrooms. It's always a good idea to have a few extra mushrooms on hand in case some break during preparation.
Cleaning and Preparation:
Before stuffing, clean the mushrooms gently with a damp paper towel or cloth. Avoid rinsing them under running water, as they tend to absorb moisture. Remove the stems, which you can chop and sauté for added flavour or freeze for future use in soups or fillings.
By considering these factors and selecting the right mushrooms, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious crab-stuffed mushrooms that your guests or family will surely enjoy!
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Preparing the crab meat
Once you have selected your crab meat, it needs to be finely chopped. This is an important step as it ensures the crab meat blends well with the other ingredients and creates a cohesive mixture. You can use a sharp knife to chop the crab meat, or even a food processor if you prefer a quicker, more efficient method.
The next step is to combine the crab meat with the other ingredients. This typically includes cream cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, green onions, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. You can also add in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for an extra kick. All the ingredients should be mixed together in a medium-sized bowl until they are well combined.
If you are using fresh crab meat, you may want to cook it before mixing it with the other ingredients. This can be done by sautéing the crab meat with some butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. This step is optional but can enhance the flavour and texture of the final dish.
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Making the filling
To make the filling for your crab-stuffed mushrooms, you'll need a large mixing bowl and a combination of the following ingredients: crab meat, cream cheese, bread crumbs, butter, garlic, shallots or green onions, herbs, and cheese.
Firstly, prepare your crab meat. You can use fresh crab meat, or save time by using canned or imitation crab meat. If you're using fresh crab meat, you'll need to cook it first. Lump crab meat is a good option as it's meatier and more flavourful than claw meat.
Next, add your cream cheese, bread crumbs, butter, and garlic to the bowl. You can also add in some chopped green onions or shallots, and herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano, or rosemary. If you're using butter, melt it first before adding it to the bowl.
Finally, mix in your cheese. You can use a Mexican blend, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese. If you want a nuttier flavour, add some grated Parmesan cheese. You can also sprinkle some extra Parmesan on top of the mushrooms before baking.
Once all your ingredients are in the bowl, stir everything together until it's well combined. Now you're ready to start stuffing your mushrooms!
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Stuffing the mushrooms
Stuffing mushrooms with crab meat is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Firstly, select the right mushrooms for stuffing. Medium-sized button mushrooms or smaller varieties are ideal, but you can also use portobello mushrooms for a heartier option. Clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel or cloth, being careful not to submerge them in water as they tend to absorb moisture. You can also remove the stems at this stage and set them aside for another use, such as soup or stir-fry.
The next step is to prepare the crab stuffing. In a medium or large bowl, combine the crab meat with your desired mix-ins. Classic options include cream cheese, bread crumbs, butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, green onions, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and mayonnaise. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs, such as paprika, thyme, oregano, chives, rosemary, or Old Bay seasoning. Mix the ingredients until well combined, and adjust the seasoning to taste.
Once the stuffing is ready, it's time to fill the mushroom caps. Using a spoon or your hands, gently stuff each mushroom with the crab mixture. Be careful not to overstuff the mushrooms, as this can cause the filling to seep out during baking. Sprinkle the tops of the stuffed mushrooms with additional Parmesan cheese or seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavour and texture.
Finally, bake the stuffed mushrooms in a preheated oven. The baking temperature and time may vary depending on the size of your mushrooms and your oven's settings, but generally, baking at temperatures between 350°F to 400°F for 15 to 25 minutes should suffice. For a crispy topping, consider broiling the mushrooms for the last few minutes of cooking. Serve the crab-stuffed mushrooms hot, garnished with fresh herbs or lemon slices for added flavour.
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Baking the mushrooms
Before baking, you can pre-cook your mushrooms for 2-3 minutes and turn them upside down on a rack to drain the juices. You can also sprinkle the tops with paprika, thyme leaves, chopped chives, parsley, dried oregano, rosemary, or Old Bay seasoning.
When you're ready to bake, first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) or 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Place the stuffed mushrooms on the baking sheet, leaving some space between them to avoid overcrowding. If desired, sprinkle the tops with more grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake the mushrooms for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the mushrooms are slightly soft. For a larger mushroom, such as a portobello, you may need to bake for closer to 20 to 25 minutes. If you want the tops to be crispy, you can broil them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes at the end of the cooking time.
Remove the mushrooms from the oven and serve warm. They can be served with lemon slices for squeezing, or garnished with extra parsley.
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Frequently asked questions
First, clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel and remove the stems. Finely chop the crab meat and mix it with other ingredients such as cream cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, and herbs. Stuff the mushrooms with the mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 15-25 minutes at 350-400°F.
You can use fresh or canned crab meat, such as king crab or lump crab meat. If you're on a budget, imitation crab meat is also an option.
Crab-stuffed mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or oven until warm.
