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!!
Did you know you can use mushrooms in pate? Vegan Mushroom Pate is the perfect meatless alternative to the traditional liver-based classic.
How about grilled mushrooms? These Grilled Portobello Mushroom Caps are perfect as an appetizer, side or light meal.
Canadian Inspired Mushroom Bites Celebrating #Canada150
Ingredients
- 200 grams (1 box) of Kraft Dinner ( I used Sharp Cheddar flavour)
- 30 medium sized white mushrooms
- ½ cup Ketchup flavoured potato chips (crushed)
Instructions
- 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.
- Crush chips and set aside.
- 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.
- Mix crushed chips into the pasta.
- Stuff each mushroom with the pasta/chip mixture.
- ENJOY!!
Veena Azmanov
I can’t wait to try this Gloria.. I love the idea very much. And they are so pretty too!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks Veena they were fun to make, and more fun to eat.
Veena Azmanov
These looks so much fun to make and fun to eat!! I love how cute they are. They would be perfect for party!!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes a fun little party app for sure.
Amanda
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.
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…they are fun to make and fun to eat!!
Claire@foodiequine
Great fun appetizer. Pasta in a mushroom instead of mushroom in pasta. Genius.
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much….it was fun for sure.
Kavey Favelle
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!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes BUTTER TART festival LOL!! I did drool!!! These little apps were fun to create.
Sandi
What a delicious idea…love the mac n cheese.
Homemade & Yummy
It was a fun little app to make for sure.
Marie-Pierre Breton
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!
Homemade & Yummy
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!
Razena
Pasta and mushroom bites! I had never thought of this but it’s brilliant!
Homemade & Yummy
It was a fun and tasty experiment I have to say.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
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.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they were a fun little project for sure.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
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!
Homemade & Yummy
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.
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
What a fabulous spin on elbow pasta!!!! And you threw in potato chips! I love you!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…thanks…and you are welcome.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
What fun! I love that you don’t cook the mushrooms, I bet the mix of textures is amazing 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it does add a nice texture to this fun little appetizer.
Rebecca
What a fun bite sized snack! Love Kraft mac & cheese
Homemade & Yummy
HAHA…thanks it was fun to make for sure.
Kristina @ Love & Zest
What a great change up for an appetizer option! I am going to have to try these out the next gathering we have!
Homemade & Yummy
It was fun creating this one for sure.
Jeni @ Coquette Kitchen
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! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…thanks so much. If nothing else, it was fun to create…and they are fun to eat too.