Beef and Blue Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

Truly a bite-sized wonder. Mushroom caps are stuffed with a rich blend of Ground Beef, blue cheese and chives, then baked until golden brown and bubbly.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound Ground Beef
• 36 to 40 small button or cremini mushrooms (1-1/2 to 2-inch diameter)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons minced chives
• 1/2 teaspoon steak seasoning blend
• Minced fresh chives (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove and reserve stems from mushrooms. Season mushroom caps with salt; set aside. Mince stems to yield 1/2 cup; discard remaining stems.

2. Combine Ground Beef, minced stems, blue cheese, bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons chives and steak seasoning. Spoon beef mixture evenly into mushrooms.

   Cook's Tip: To make soft bread crumbs, place torn bread in food processor or blender container. Cover; pulse on and off, to form fine crumbs. One-half slice makes about 1/4 cup crumbs.

3. Place stuffed mushrooms on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 375°F oven 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional chives, if desired.

   Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160ºF. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.