Stuffed Mushrooms (Lidia Bastianich)

Serve these nice and hot, or let them cool to room temperature. If you'd like to make this a little more contemporary, you can add a dash of balsamic vinegar to the red peppers and scallions as they cook. In true Italian-American style, these are topped with butter, but in Italy, we would use olive oil. Best yet, top them with butter, "bless" them all with a little olive oil.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 24  cremini mushrooms, with caps about 1-1/2 inches in diameter
• 2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the tops of the mushrooms if you like
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped scallion
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped bell pepper
• 1⁄2  coarse  breadcrumbs
• 1⁄2 cup  grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
•  salt
•  fresh ground black pepper
• 4  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 cup  chicken stock, vegetable stock or 1⁄2 cup  canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1⁄4 cup dry white wine (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F Remove the stems from the mushrooms and chop the stems fine.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in the red peppers and chopped mushroom stems and cook, stirring, until tender, about 3 minutes. Remove and cool.
3. Toss the bread crumbs, grated cheese, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, and the sauéed vegetables until thoroughly blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity of each mushroom with the filling, pressing it in with a teaspoon until even with the sides of the mushrooms.
4. Using 2 tablespoons of the butter, grease a 12 x 18-inch low-sided baking pan. Arrange the mushrooms side by side in the pan and, using the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, dot the top of each mushroom with about 1/4 teaspoon butter. Add the stock, wine, if using, and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley to the pan. If you like, drizzle the tops of the mushrooms with the oil. Bake until the mushrooms are cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 20 minutes.
5. Serve the mushrooms on a warmed platter or divide them among warmed plates. Pour the pan juices into a small saucepan and bring to a boil on top of the stove. Boil until lightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon the juices over the mushrooms, and serve immediately.