I made these for Christmas this year. You definitely need to be a garlic lover, but they were so good! It may sound like a lot of garlic, but slow, low cooking in the cream really mellows out the flavor. Really delicious, easy appetizer.
Garlic-Stuffed Mushrooms
2 heads garlic, cloves separated and peeled
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup panko or white, unseasoned bread crumbs
24 large button or cremini mushrooms, stems removed
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
In a small saucepan over low heat, slowly cook garlic and cream until garlic is soft enough to mash with a spoon, about 45 minutes. (Cream will be reduced and thick.) Remove from heat and mash garlic into cream with a fork, making a rough purée. Stir in salt and panko and mix thoroughly.
Preheat oven to 450°. Lay mushroom caps, top side down, on an oiled baking sheet. Brush edges with oil and fill centers with garlic cream.
Bake until starting to brown, about 15 minutes. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes. Lift mushrooms from any released liquid and arrange on plates or a platter. Sprinkle with pepper.