Sausage Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms

Photo: The Duo Dishes

Ingredients

30 cremini mushrooms, tops only

3 links Italian turkey sausage, casings removed and crumbled

1/2 cup white wine plus ¼ cup, separated (We had a bit of Sauvignon Blanc.)

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup bread crumbs

6 sprigs thyme plus 2 tablespoons, minced

1 tablespoon parsley, minced

1 teaspoon oregano

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Olive oil

Preparation

Swirl a bit of olive oil in a pan and add garlic, sausage and whole thyme sprigs. Pour in 1/2 cup of wine. Cook down until sausage has browned, approximately 5-7 minutes.

As sausage cooks, combine cream cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, and remaining thyme. Set aside.

When sausage is done, discard thyme stems. Transfer to a bowl and let mixture cool, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Once sausage has cooled a bit, fold it into cream cheese mixture. Stir well. Dollop into tops of mushrooms and arrange in a baking dish.

Mixed melted butter with remaining wine and pour around mushrooms. Shimmy the baking dish to spread wine and butter around. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until mushrooms begin to brown. (Prepare these ahead of time, and right before company arrives, pour in melted butter and wine and pop into the oven.)