Stuff your favorite fun guy with stuffed fungi on National Stuffed Mushroom Day!

A mushroom goes into a bar and sits down to order a drink. The bartender walks over and says, ''I'm sorry sir, but we don't serve your kind here.''
The mushroom sits back and asks ,''Why not? I'm a fun guy!

The ancient Egyptians called the mighty mushroom the plant of immortality. Technically speaking the mushroom is not a plant, however. It belongs to the fungus kingdom... and as for the immortality part-- well some mushrooms can make you feel a touch immortal (or so I've heard tell) but you got to look out because many of them can be fatal. It is rumored that the Buddha, Siddhartha, died of mushroom poisoning and some say that the Roman Emporer Claudius was murdered when fed death cap mushrooms. So if you aren't an experienced mycologist I would suggest sticking to the supermarket on your next mushrooming expedition.

Today is National Stuffed Mushroom Day (February 4th)and in honor of this festive occasion here is my favorite stuffed mushroom recipe.

Stuffed Mushrooms

12 large white mushrooms
1 t. olive oil
¼ c. minced onion
4 cloves garlic
¼ c. bread crumbs
1 T. parmesan cheese
Fresh herbs such as basil, thyme and oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ C. water

Remove stems from mushrooms and chop finely. Pre heat outdoor grill or oven to 375. If cooking outdoors place mushroom caps on lightly oiled grill pan or if baking use a baking sheet. In a small non stick skillet sauté stems, onions, and garlic until onions are tender. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Fill caps and bake or cook (using indirect grilling-cook next to not directly over the heat source) on prepared grill. Cook for 15 - 30 minutes.