Description
This delightful crab-stuffed portobello mushrooms recipe combines tender seafood with earthy mushroom caps. Seafood enthusiasts and dinner guests will savor each richly seasoned, expertly crafted bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) crab meat, pasteurized, lump or backfin
- 4 portobello mushroom caps
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ⅔ cup shredded cheese, mild, divided
- ½ cup panko crumbs
- 2 tablespoons sweet onion, minced
- 1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or ¼ to ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice (from half a lemon)
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a shallow baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mushroom Preparation: Remove and finely dice portobello mushroom stems, then carefully scrape out dark gills. Clean mushroom caps gently with a soft brush and arrange on the greased baking pan. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Stuffing Composition: In a mixing bowl, combine crab meat, panko breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, thyme leaves, lemon juice, and diced mushroom stems. Incorporate a beaten egg to bind the mixture, and fold in a portion of shredded cheese while adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Filling and Baking: Spoon the crab mixture into mushroom caps, creating slightly rounded mounds. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the filling becomes firm and develops a golden-brown crust.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, sprinkle reserved cheese over the stuffed mushrooms, and return to oven for an additional 2-4 minutes until cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly.
Notes
- Mushroom Cleaning Tip: Remove dark gills carefully with a soft brush to prevent moisture retention and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing appearance.
- Stem Utilization Hack: Finely dice mushroom stems to add depth and prevent food waste, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the stuffing.
- Binding Secret: Add a beaten egg to the crab mixture to help ingredients hold together, creating a more cohesive and textured stuffing.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle reserved cheese after initial baking for a perfectly golden, bubbling top that adds both visual appeal and extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg