Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Cleo Coyle's FOOLPROOF STUFFED MUSHROOMS with Ricotta & Spinach #LowCarb #LowCal #Keto #Vegetarian



From Cleo Coyle: A few of our readers asked us to share low-carb recipes, and these Foolproof Stuffed Mushrooms fit the bill. Why are they foolproof? Because you won't have to worry about under- or over-cooking them. Ever. 

Feel free to switch up the ricotta-spinach filling if you don't like this combo. You can try almost any combination of soft and hard cheeses and even sprinkle on breadcrumbs (or pork rind crumbs if you're following a low-carb program). For a version with meat protein, you can add crumbled (cooked) bacon, or cooked sausage, or chopped pepperoni, or any type of pre-cooked and seasoned ground meat. Whatever you choose as your filling...

Here is my easy, foolproof method
for cooking stuffed mushroom caps:

(1) 🍄 Place empty mushroom caps (open sides down) on a baking sheet or pie plate and cook for 10 minutes in a pre-heated 400 degree F. oven. 

(2) 🍄 Using two forks, flip the mushroom caps and fill them.

(3) 🍄 Place the filled caps back in the 400 degree oven for 10 minutes more, and they're done!


Now for an example of said method in action...




ORDER UP!


To download a free PDF of this
recipe 
that you can print,
save, or share,
click here.


Cleo Coyle writes two
 bestselling mystery
 series with her husband.
To learn more, click here.

🍄 A Recipe Note from Cleo

Mushrooms are a great inspiration for a murder-mystery writer, which is why I eat them often. :) They're also incredibly low in carbs and calories. Five medium mushrooms clock in at about 20 calories with 3 grams of carbs, and they're fat free. 

Marc and I enjoy these stuffed mushrooms as snacks in the afternoon or evening. But these elegant little bites also work beautifully served at more formal dinners or on party trays. They go great with cocktails or wine. Best of all they're quick and easy to make; and with this foolproof method, they'll come out perfectly cooked every time.

Even better, the health benefits of the humble 'shroom are many. According to WebMD, "Mushrooms are a rich, low-calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They may also help to lessen the risk of developing serious health conditions..." And they're good sources for Selenium, Thiamin, Magnesium, and Phosphorous.

Ricotta and spinach also have health benefits, and they're my favorite combination for this recipe. May you eat with joy and in good health! 

~ Cleo



I made this batch of mushrooms on
a simple glass pie plate. Easy! ~ Cleo


🍄 🍄 🍄

🍄 Cleo's Stuffed Mushrooms
with Ricotta and Spinach


Ingredients:

1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained 

8 to 10 fresh mushrooms (medium to large) 

1/4 cup ricotta cheese (whole or part-skim) 

2 tablespoons strong, salty grated cheese (I use Romano) 

1/4 teaspoon white (or black) pepper 

2 tablespoons (1 ounce) shredded mozzarella cheese (whole or part-skim)


Step 1 - Make the stuffing: Thaw your chopped frozen spinach (but do not cook). Place the spinach in a colander over the sink and gently press out as much liquid as you can. (I do this hours in advance or even an entire day before. Then I place the spinach in a bowl, loosely cover it with foil and keep it in the fridge to dry it out even more.)

After your spinach is well drained, measure out 1/4 cup of it and mix it in a bowl with the ricotta, the grated Romano cheese (or your favorite hard, salty cheese), and the ground pepper. Do not add the mozzarella yet.



Step 2 - Prep the mushroom caps: Clean your mushrooms and remove the stems. Lightly scrape the inside of the caps with the tip of a small teaspoon to hollow them out a bit more. Place the mushrooms, open side down, on a baking sheet or pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes in a well pre-heated 400 degree F. oven.




Step 3 - Fill and bake: Remove the pan from the oven and, using two forks, flip over the caps. Now their open sides should be up. Fill each cap with the spinach-ricotta stuffing, garnish with a bit of shredded mozzarella and return the mushrooms to the oven for another 10 minutes. Remove the pan, plate the caps and enjoy!





Eat (and read) with joy!


New York Times bestselling author
of The Coffeehouse Mysteries and
Haunted Bookshop Mysteries


Cleo (Alice) with her husband Marc

Visit Cleo's online coffeehouse here.
And follow her at these links...


Our 21st Coffeehouse Mystery 

No Roast for the Weary


"A JOY TO READ!" 

~ Fresh Fiction



National Mystery Bestseller
(Triple) #1 Amazon Category Bestseller
Fresh Fiction Readers' Selection

To Buy:

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble

Bookshop.org

+ More Buy Links



No Roast for the Weary is a culinary mystery with a killer menu of delicious recipes. Click here or on the image below to see the free illustrated guide to our book's recipe section...


Click here or the image above for
Cleo's Free Illustrated Guide to
the recipes you'll find published in
 No Roast for the Weary.





New Paperback Edition!

"Wildly Entertaining" 
~ Criminal Element


National Mystery Bestseller
#1 Amazon Category Bestseller
Fresh Fiction Readers' Selection
2 Best of Year Lists



To Buy:







The Coffeehouse Mysteries are bestselling works
of amateur sleuth fiction set in a landmark 
Greenwich Village coffeehouse, and each of the 
21 titles includes the added bonus of recipes.  




Get a free Title Checklist of
Cleo Coyle's Books in Order
Click here 
or on the image below.





Don't Miss Our Latest
Haunted Bookshop
Mystery...

  
Jack & Pen 
Together Again!

"Amazing and Unique" 

~ Fresh Fiction


"DELIGHTFUL" ~ Kirkus Reviews

To Buy:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Bookshop.org

+ More Buy Links






👇


Cleo is now working on her 
next book and 
Newsletter!


Don't miss her book news, 
bonus recipes, and fun 

prize package giveaways!

TO SIGN UP...



13 comments:

  1. Love your books, Cleo. Picked up No Roast for the Weary over the weekend. Top of my TBR pile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Loretta, for supporting our work. Marc and I appreciate it, and we hope you enjoy our new (21st) Coffeehouse Mystery, No Roast for the Weary! (There will be more caffeinated adventures to come. We're writng the next one now.) Cheers for stopping by and happy reading!

      With love from NYC,
      Cleo
      Sign up for Cleo’s free Newsletter

      Coffeehouse Mystery.com
      “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
      HauntedBookshopMystery.com
      Friend or Follow Cleo Coyle on Facebook

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much, Loretta. Marc and I hope you enjoy your return trip to our Village Blend!

      ~ Cleo

      Delete
  2. I have read every one of the books in the Coffeehouse series and No Roast for the Weary is one of the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Mira -- Thank you so much for the nice words about our newest Coffeehouse Mystery. No Roast for the Weary was great fun to write, especially because it involves a community of quirky writers. Marc and I are pretty quirky ourselves, and we've been writing professionally for a few decades now, so we had a fine time with this plot. We're glad to know you enjoyed it!

      Delete
  3. Your stuffed mushrooms seemed to want to jump into my mouth, but unfortunately that didn't happen:-) The recipe is very easy, so I will be glad to try and replicate it, following your quick recipe. I know they will taste delicious! Thank you for all you do to enrich our lives through cozy mysteries to delicious gourmet recipes. You and Marc are both a blessing to us fans! JOY! Luis at ole dot travel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings, Luis! It is always a pleasure to read your sweet comments. Thank you so much for your kindness to us. As for these tasty stuffed mushrooms jumping into your mouth, I have requested a "taste here" button from Google but have not heard back. I'll let you know if they ever install one! :) In the meantime, Marc and I wish you all good things for spring!

      With love from NYC,
      Cleo
      Sign up for Cleo’s free Newsletter

      Coffeehouse Mystery.com
      “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
      HauntedBookshopMystery.com
      Friend or Follow Cleo Coyle on Facebook

      Delete
  4. Thank you for the FOOLPROOF STUFFED MUSHROOMS with Ricotta & Spinach recipe. Mushrooms are a favorite of hubby's. Sounds like something he will love.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mushrooms are so good for us, and this is a nice way to make them extra tasty. Great for snacking but also a nice appetizer for party trays. I hope you enjoy the recipe, Kay, and thanks for dropping by the Kitchen today!

      ~ Cleo
      Sign up for Cleo’s free Newsletter

      Coffeehouse Mystery.com
      “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
      HauntedBookshopMystery.com
      Friend or Follow Cleo Coyle on Facebook

      Delete
  5. These sound delicious and so easy, thanks! We always love a good stuffed mushroom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, Marcia. Thanks for stopping by the Kitchen today!

      ~ Cleo

      Delete
  6. Delightful!
    I can imagine these with chevre added to the mix.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Libby - Absolutely on the chevre, along with herbs and some parm. For anyone who finds goat cheese too strong, try mixing it with a bit of cream cheese. The basic recipe is easy (and fun) to play with. Cheers for stopping by and happy springtime eating to you!

      ~ Cleo
      Sign up for Cleo’s free Newsletter

      Coffeehouse Mystery.com
      “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
      HauntedBookshopMystery.com
      Friend or Follow Cleo Coyle on Facebook

      Delete