Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 8-12 medium to large mushrooms (the bigger the better)
• 2-3 green onions (optional)
• 1/4 of a yellow onion, finely minced (optional)
• 1-2 stalks celery, minced
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme or 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried basil or 1/2 tbsp fresh basil (up to 1tbsp)
• 1 tsp dried parsley or 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• Various cheeses, preferably Italian
• Bacon, pancetta, or sausage, steak or other leftover meats (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste (skip if using bacon)

Instructions

1. This isn't really a recipe so much as a vague suggestion...

2. The most important thing is to stem the mushrooms, keep the stems, trim the ends, and then finely mince the stems to serve as the base of the filling

3. Finely chop celery, garlic, and herbs

4. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until evenly mixed

5. Use enough cheese to bind the ingredients as it melts, no maximum but there is a minimum, probably about 1/4c

6. Pile the filling as high as you can get it without toppling over. The filling will reduce as it cooks

7. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or air fry

8. Top with more cheese, course ground pepper, balsamic reduction, or whatever you feel inspired by