Two Quick & Impressive Homemade Appitizers

Don’t you just LOVE when people just “drop by” to say hello…Well this happened the other day!  We got a call that friends were stopping by and I had 45 minutes to whip up something fabulous.   Luckily, I have these two super easy recipes in my back pocket.  Our guests were pleased and I was happy to serve a simple and impressive appetizer platter!

Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Kitchen Tools:

1.       Frying Pan
2.       Wooden Spoon
3.       Slotted Spoon
4.       Food Processor
5.       Mixing Bowl
6.       Small Spoon
7.       Baking Sheet

Ingredients:

1.       1 Package of Whole Mushrooms (I used Baby Bellas)
2.       1 Spicy Italian Sausage Link (Casing removed)
3.       3 Tablespoons of a soft cheese ( I used Boursin Garlic and Herb Spreadable Cheese)
4.       2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
5.       Cooking Spray

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 325°.
2.       Start cooking the Italian sausage (remove casing first) in the frying pan.  If there is not enough fat in the sausage, add a little olive oil to the pan. Using the back of your wooden spoon, break up the sausage into small pieces for a more even cooking.
3.       While the sausage cooks, wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel. Do not rinse the mushrooms – they will absorb all the water and won’t cook properly.
4.       Remove stems from the mushrooms and discard.

5.       Once sausage is completely browned, move from the frying pan to your food processor with a slotted spoon to avoid the excess fat. Blend until you have small pieces of sausage.  If you don’t have a food processor, you can chop the cooked sausage with a knife into small pieces.

6.       In a bowl, add the sausage, cheese and bread crumbs and stir/mix until completely blended.

7.       Spoon the filling into the mushroom caps, pressing with the back of the spoon.

8.       Place filled mushrooms on greased baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
9.       Serve and enjoy!
 
Bacon Wrapped Artichoke Hearts
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 – 20 Minutes

Kitchen Tools:

1.       Knife
2.       Cutting Board
3.       Baking Sheet
 
Ingredients:
1.       1 Large Jar Marinated Artichoke Hearts
2.       ½ lb. Bacon
3.       Cooking Spray
 
Directions:
1.       Preheat oven to 425°.
2.       Cut bacon strips in half.

3.       Wrap the cut strips around an artichoke heart and place on a greased baking sheet.  If the artichoke hearts are too big for the bacon, cut them in half.  I cover the baking sheet with foil for easier clean up.

4.       Bake in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes, until the bacon looks crispy.
5.       Serve and enjoy!