Stuffed Mushrooms

I needed to come up with an appetizer to feed a crowd, so I came up with my own vegan version of stuffed mushrooms. They were pretty easy to make and were gone in no time. Another great ingredient to add is a couple of Field Roast Italian Sausages–just thaw, chop and add to the food processor with the bell pepper.

INGREDIENTS:
About 30 mushrooms, washed and stems reserved
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper
5 green onions
3-4 Tbs Earth Balance margarine, divided
1/2 C bread crumbs
6″ of a garlic scape
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 C vegan mozzarella (like Vegan Rella), shredded

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325. Saute the mushroom caps in 2 tablespoons of margarine until they just begin to brown on each side. Then set aside.

Chop up the mushroom stems, red bell pepper, green onions and scape. Here’s a scape:

Add all four to a food processor and chop up until fine:

Transfer to the same pan that you used to saute the mushrooms caps in, and saute the pepper mixture in 2-3 tablespoons of margarine for 3-4 minutes. Add bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Remove from heat. Stuff each cap with about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the pepper mixture and a medium pinch of cheese.

If you are making these ahead, you can stuff them and refrigerate them, but add the cheese just before baking. Bake for 15 minutes and enjoy!