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!!
Adriana Lopez Martn
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!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much, I hope I win too!!
Priya srinivasan
Wow they look so cute and love that stuffing !! I bet these are great for parties!!
Homemade & Yummy
The perfect fun and easy party food.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
What a cute and unique idea to celebrate Canada! I love the little flags, touches like that make all the difference. Festive!
Homemade & Yummy
Well they were fun to create…and the decorations just added that extra touch.
Nicole Shillings
Wow! These are so cute and fun! I bet the kiddos just go crazy for them.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they were really fun to make, and fun to eat too.
Whitney @WhittyPaleo
Oh wow! I have never heard of this but would definitely love to try it out – very interesting delicacy you guys have!
Homemade & Yummy
We do have some unique ones for sure.
Helene D'Souza
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. 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
They sure were a fun project…hope I win!!
Donna
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 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Yes we do have some unique foods that is for sure. Glad you liked your visit.
Tara
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.
Homemade & Yummy
OMG ketchup on KD is the BEST!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
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. 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Ketchup chips ONLY in Canada I’m afraid Marisa. YES….I would LOVE to win for sure.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
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!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH….I will have to try it out on the grandkids!!
kiki
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
Homemade & Yummy
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!!
Constance Smith
How cute are these? I bet this would be a great way to get kids to eat mushrooms.
Homemade & Yummy
I will have to see…my daughter doesn’t like mushrooms…I will test it out.
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed
What a great idea, I’ve not tried Kraft mac & cheese before but I would love to try some in your fun appetisers.
Homemade & Yummy
These were a fun project for sure.
Danielle
These are so cool! Awesome pictures. I have a feeling they’d go over well in the States too! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give them a try!!
Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl)
They look amazing! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much.