Yes, we Canadians have unique tastes, flavours, and foods we can call our own. Canadian Inspired Mushroom Bites Celebrating #Canada150 combines 2 famous foods into a great mushroom stuffing.
Do you have a favourite iconic Canadian food? I can’t narrow it down to one, but I do have a list of “top picks”. We do have some awesome eats uniquely Canadian.
This post is my submission to the FBC2017 Spotlight Appetizer Contest sponsored by Mushrooms Canada. The prize (should I win) is 1 Full Conference Pass (including 2 nights accommodation/meals and events).
DO YOU HAVE A LIST OF ICONIC CANADIAN FOODS YOU LOVE?
When I first read the requirements for the submission, by mind immediately started thinking of all the unique things I could use to create a truly Canadian appetizer.
I quickly started looking on the web for a list of great food options (some I knew, and some I didn’t). Maple syrup, butter tarts, Montreal bagels, tourtiere, Nanaimo Bars and poutine to name a few. See, how can anyone choose one? In fact, I just went to a butter tart festival last weekend. One of the selections was actually a cross between a butter tart and a Nanaimo bar, so we don’t have to choose which is best. Brilliant!
Since these ideas weren’t getting me closer to creating an appetizer (but they were driving my tastebuds crazy), I had to think a little harder. What did I make in my “early” cooking years? OMG Kraft Dinner! I so remember eating boxes of this stuff, and yes I even made it for my kids.
Seriously you aren’t Canadian if you have never eaten KD (at least once). That unique “cheese sauce” that magically happens when you mix butter, milk and that little envelope of cheese powder. To lots of people it was a kitchen cupboard staple, and still is. The name change to KD was a great idea, since that is what I have ALWAYS called it anyway.
KETCHUP CHIPS YES OR NO?
Not everyone adds ketchup to their KD, but I sure do. Ketchup takes it to the “gourmet” level, at least I happen to think so. Call me crazy, but hey all I can say is Canadian eh!
Ketchup chips, yup they make your fingers red, your lips tingle and are truly addictive. Another great Canadian food, and hey what a great way to add some taste and texture into this cool appetizer.
Canadian Inspired Mushroom Bites are super simple, truly Canadian, and economical (one box makes 30+ mushrooms). I happen to love raw white mushrooms (yes they are safe to eat this way). Just wipe clean and remove the stem, this gives you more room to stuff. You can also cook the mushrooms in the microwave for just a few seconds. This lessens the earthy taste, and softens the texture just slightly.
Cook the KD to just tender. For this recipe, I only used the cheese packet (no butter or milk). Let cool slightly, crush up some ketchup chips, mix, stuff and eat.
Serving these at room temperature works best. Leftovers that you have placed in the fridge can be easily put in the microwave for a few seconds, just to get the chill off the pasta.
Bring a little nostalgia to your next party with these Canadian Inspired Mushroom Bites Celebrating #Canada150. They are sure to create a conversation. Truly proud to be Canadian Eh? Happy Birthday Canada.
My submission to last year’s contest was Blended ROCCAN Rolls!!
Canadian Inspired Mushroom Bites Celebrating #Canada150
Ingredients
- 200 grams (1 box) of Kraft Dinner ( I used Sharp Cheddar flavour)
- 30 medium sized white mushrooms
- 1/2 cup Ketchup flavoured potato chips (crushed)
Instructions
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Clean mushrooms and remove stems. (This gives you more room to stuff)
Place mushrooms onto serving tray (stem side up) ready to stuff. You can also cook the mushrooms in the microwave for a few seconds. This lessens the earthy taste and softens the texture slightly.
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Crush chips and set aside.
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Cook Kraft Dinner noodles until just tender.
Drain, and mix in cheese powder packet. (NOTE: do not add milk or butter)
Mix well, and allow to cool for a few minutes.
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Mix crushed chips into the pasta.
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Stuff each mushroom with the pasta/chip mixture.
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ENJOY!!
Recipe Notes
These are best served at room temperature. Leftovers should be stored in the fridge. You can slightly heat them in the microwave when you take them out of the fridge. This takes the chill off the pasta.
Such a brilliant idea Gloria to combine 2 appetizers into one. And when you think about it.. .the mushrooms make for the perfect little edible bowl. I’m already imaging all the other tasty things they could hold. But I love what you did with the KD. The nice fiery color is definitely eye catching.
Thanks…fingers crossed for the contest. They were fun to make and fun to eat too.
these are the cutest little mushroom bites ever and look really fun to eat. What a great party food.
I agree….they were fun to make and fun to eat.
I saw these in my Pinterest feed and stopped to click because they are just too adorable! I’ve never had ketchup chips, but they sound really unique and I’d love to try them!
Well ketchup chips are unique to Canada…so pay us a visit and pick some up.
How cute! Never thought to use mushrooms as a base for mac and cheese!
HAHA…yes these are fun for sure.
no doubt its iconic canadian recipe. I love the way you presented which really tempts me to grab some 🙂
Thanks so much, they were really fun to make.
Im a firm believer in any thing in that blue box KD or Kraft dinner being a complete comfort food! I really like the idea of it popped in a mushroom for a bite for a party appetizer too. Ill definitely be giving this a try for a Friday night cocktail hour at our house!
HAHHA…well I sure hope you like them.
You made not only delicious mushroom bites but the presentation with Canadian flag I love it. Genius and great party idea.
Thanks so much. They were a fun little project for sure.
Love the flags on top and the bites look so adorable with them. I’m sure they taste even better. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
You are welcome….thanks for hosting.
I am Canadian and LOVE these!! So fun. Unique maybe, but tasty for sure!
YES they are fun and tasty for sure.
Its so interesting to learn about food from various countries. I’ve never heard of ketchup chips before. This look so festive with the little flags – best of luck with the contest.
Thanks so much….fingers crossed.
So much delicious cheese. You have come up with a truly creative way to serve this goodness.
Thanks so much…they are fun for sure.
As an expat Canadian I totally grew up on KD – loved it! The UK version pales in comparison and my kids won’t eat it, lol! Love the sound of this recipe!
HAHAH…thanks so much. I did wonder how the different versions of KD in the other countries compare. Guess we have the best!!
Cute idea would have never occurred to me to use the mushrooms for tasty bites. The Kraft Mac and Cheese is so versatile I hope you win. Cheers to 15o for Canada!
Thanks so much, I hope I win too!!
Wow they look so cute and love that stuffing !! I bet these are great for parties!!
The perfect fun and easy party food.
What a cute and unique idea to celebrate Canada! I love the little flags, touches like that make all the difference. Festive!
Well they were fun to create…and the decorations just added that extra touch.
Wow! These are so cute and fun! I bet the kiddos just go crazy for them.
Yes they were really fun to make, and fun to eat too.
Oh wow! I have never heard of this but would definitely love to try it out – very interesting delicacy you guys have!
We do have some unique ones for sure.
To be honest I don’t know much about Canadian food but your stuffed mushrooms bites do look very appetizing. I would love to have them right now. 🙂
They sure were a fun project…hope I win!!
Ha these are so fun. We went to Canada for the first time last year and absolutely loved it. We missed out on the KD and the ketchup chips, but there are some seriously amazing eats you have over there!! We had so much good food there was some serious detoxing happening when we got home 🙂
Yes we do have some unique foods that is for sure. Glad you liked your visit.
What a unique appetizer! My kids would absolutely love this. I have actually never added ketchup to mac and cheese. Definitely need to try it.
OMG ketchup on KD is the BEST!!
I think these appetizers will be real winners. It’s a combination of good ole comforting mac and cheese and delicious little mushroom morsels. Very creative of you!! I love the crunch of the ketchup flavored potato chips. I’ve never tasted them — I must be living a sheltered life. 🙂
Ketchup chips ONLY in Canada I’m afraid Marisa. YES….I would LOVE to win for sure.
What a creative idea! I know that a lot of kids don’t like mushrooms, but with mac and cheese, and the crunchy chip element, I bet this would totally work!
HAHAH….I will have to try it out on the grandkids!!
HI there! Hubby and I were on vacation and couldn’t really celebrate Canada Day this year! And such a big one it was, as well! Shame on us. Maybe we should have a belated celebration, which would also be the perfect occasion to try your mushroom bites! They look sooo delish! What a creative recipe! (I am also really curious about this nanaimo-butter tart hybrid you mentioned …that must have been delicious!!) Cheers, Kiki
HAHAH…these were fun to make…and fun to eat. AS for the the butter tart…YES…along will all the other ones we bought too!!
How cute are these? I bet this would be a great way to get kids to eat mushrooms.
I will have to see…my daughter doesn’t like mushrooms…I will test it out.
What a great idea, I’ve not tried Kraft mac & cheese before but I would love to try some in your fun appetisers.
These were a fun project for sure.
These are so cool! Awesome pictures. I have a feeling they’d go over well in the States too! 🙂
Hope you give them a try!!
They look amazing! 🙂
Thanks so much.
I can’t wait to try this Gloria.. I love the idea very much. And they are so pretty too!
Thanks Veena they were fun to make, and more fun to eat.
These looks so much fun to make and fun to eat!! I love how cute they are. They would be perfect for party!!
Yes a fun little party app for sure.
I’ve never seen this idea before, but I love it! This is so quick and easy to make. A definite must try for my next party.
ENJOY…they are fun to make and fun to eat!!
Great fun appetizer. Pasta in a mushroom instead of mushroom in pasta. Genius.
Thanks so much….it was fun for sure.
Sometimes it’s so hard thinking of a recipe for a particular brief, and then inspiration strikes! Loving the combination of mac and cheese with mushrooms in a canape sized bite! And oh my god did you say butter tart festival? Drooling!
Yes BUTTER TART festival LOL!! I did drool!!! These little apps were fun to create.
What a delicious idea…love the mac n cheese.
It was a fun little app to make for sure.
AHahah! Kraft dinner isn’t the first thing that comes to my “Canadian” mind when I think of food from home! but now that you’ve done this, totally should! What a brilliant idea those little bites! By the way, i’m living abroad, and was missing the ketchup chips soooo much…. I’ve dehydrated some heinz ketchup and tried to make my own… wasn’t as good:( Someone should start exporting those!
HAHAH..that is funny about the ketchup chips. This was a fun little project to do, and we loved eating them. They did not last long!
Pasta and mushroom bites! I had never thought of this but it’s brilliant!
It was a fun and tasty experiment I have to say.
There have been many times when I eat mushrooms raw — I love them too. These appetizers are so cute! I think if I found them in front of me I wouldn’t be able to stop eating them. I can see making them with various cheeses and giving them a cuisine taste.
Yes they were a fun little project for sure.
Oh Canada.. I need to try some of your food!. Btw the Canadian Kraft mac + cheese is packaged differently than ours- that’s interesting! And I’m sure mac+cheese inside a mushroom would be delicious, because I like mushrooms INSIDE my mac and cheese. Awesome idea!
Yes it is packaged differently….and we call it KD..hence the rebrand. Hope you give it a try…it is a fun little appetizer for sure.
What a fabulous spin on elbow pasta!!!! And you threw in potato chips! I love you!
HAHAH…thanks…and you are welcome.
What fun! I love that you don’t cook the mushrooms, I bet the mix of textures is amazing 🙂
Yes it does add a nice texture to this fun little appetizer.
What a fun bite sized snack! Love Kraft mac & cheese
HAHA…thanks it was fun to make for sure.
What a great change up for an appetizer option! I am going to have to try these out the next gathering we have!
It was fun creating this one for sure.
lol, I love the nostalgia here Gloria! I hope you win 🙂 We certainly ate a lot of Kraft Mac and Cheese growing up, but I didn’t know they called it “Kraft Dinner” in Canada. I don’t eat a lot of processed foods anymore – but I am hungry for this now! 🙂
HAHAH…thanks so much. If nothing else, it was fun to create…and they are fun to eat too.