Shelly's Recipe

MOUNTAIN TOP STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Category: Stuffed Mushrooms

6 cherrystone clams, or 4 to 6 oz canned chopped clams, reserving juice
water
1 lemon, cut in half
1/4 tsp salt
1 lb mushrooms
1 small onion, cut up
1 stalk celery, cut up
1 green pepper, cut up
3 strips raw bacon, cut up
1 tbsp chopped pimiento
1/2 stick butter
2 eggs
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp lemon juice

If using fresh clams, wash thoroughly to remove grit and sand. Place in a large pot, cover with water, and add lemon halves and salt. Bring to a boil and cook until shells open. Remove clams and cool under running water; reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.

Wash mushrooms, remove stems and reserve, and place caps on a cookie sheet; set aside.

When clams have cooled, remove the usable portion from the shell, dice finely, and set aside. Puree onion, celery, green pepper, reserved mushroom stems, bacon, and pimiento using a grinder or food processor. Saute this mixture in a skillet with butter and reserved clam broth on moderate heat until liquid is reduced. Set aside to cool.

Combine diced clams, pureed mixture, and remaining ingredients and mix by hand. If stuffing is too wet, add additional bread crumbs. Place stuffing in mushroom caps and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Serves 6-8