Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

Having company? Too hot to cook?  Stuffed mushrooms can be a quick appetizer , snack or meal that look great and are usually a hit at any party. They require no cooking, so that's a plus in this hot weather. These mushrooms are vegan , making them versatile for all kinds of eaters ( no eggs, dairy, or grain and they're raw).

I used my spinach basil pesto recipe below ( and left out the Parmesan cheese to make it vegan). I was surprised at how delicious it still tasted. This recipe is rich in healthy greens and loaded with antioxidants. Since it's eaten without cooking, none of the nutrients are lost.

I just lightly scooped out the mushrooms and filled them .

Pesto Ingredients:
1 cup fresh  parsley
1 cup fresh basil
1 cup fresh spinach ( I used organic baby spinach)
1 cup of pecans, pine nuts, or walnuts ( I used pecans)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove fresh garlic ( or more to taste)
1/4-1/2  cup olive oil ( don't cut back, the oil makes it)
salt to taste

Directions: 
Assemble ingredients
Process nuts and garlic, remove from processor and set aside.
Process, parsley, spinach, basil, then add nuts and garlic mixture, and olive oil.
Process until smooth .
Remove from processor and add a little more olive oil before serving  if its dry.

Wash mushrooms, remove stems, and clean out inside enough to stuff. 
Stuff each mushroom individually and serve.

What kind of appetizers do you make in hot weather? 

Gluten Free Tip of the Week 
 gluten-free Italian panko breadcrumbs, made with rice flour, is a new product from Ian's Natural Foods


 Since I blog real food healthy recipes ( that are just naturally gluten free) , I have a variety of readers who are both gluten free and not gluten free. I'm trying to figure out how many of my readers are actually gluten free. If you read my blog because you are gluten free, could you please leave me a comment. ( scroll down to the very end of the post, under the 5 small pictures of : you might also like this: look for the word, comments. click on it and leave a comment. If you are reading this in an email, you will have to click on the title and go to my blog first.)

I've linked this recipe to the following blog carnivals

Monday

My Meatless Mondays   ;  Monday Mania ;; Mangia Mondays; ;;Homestead Barn Hop ;  Just another Meatless Monday,  Veggie Mama's Meatless Monday On the Menu Monday In the Gumbo Monday    Gluten Free Weekly Menu

Tuesday

Tasty Tuesdays;  ; Anti-Procrastination Tues; Domestically Divine Tuesday ; Take a Look Tuesday ; Terrific Under $10 Tuesdays ; Hearth and Soul Hop ; Frugal Tuesday Tip  Tuesday ;  Slightly Indulgent Tuesday   Fat Tuesday  Allergy Friendly lunchbox 


Wednesday
 Works For Me Wednesday; Real Food Wednesday; Whatever Goes Wednesday; Passionately Artistic; ;  This Chick Cooks;  Frugal Ways, Sustainable Days   Gluten Free Wednesday,, Welcome Wednesday,  Gluten Free Pantry  Beyond the Peel  Healthy2day    Wed Simple Living Wednesday    My Pick Of The Week  Homestead Revi

Friday
  ;Food on Fridays ;Foodie Friday  Diane's Foodie Friday ; ;It’s a Hodgepodge Friday  ,   Fight Back Fridays   Friday Food, Allergy-Friendly Frida, Natural Mother's Network, Butter Believer, A Well Seasoned Life, Six Sister's Stuff, The Sweet Details) Katherine Martinelli, Fitness Friday,  Sugar Bananas  My Romantic Home  Iron Violet Designs    Home Is Where My Story Begins  Food Friday   Real Food Freaks,


Pity Party Summer Lovin Saturdays; Party Mindie Style; Shindig Saturday; Whatcha Got Weekend (WGW); Creative-ly U Link-up; Strut Your Stuff Saturday; Cookbooks and Glue Sticks  Country Mama Cooks

Sunday
Every Day Sisters Sharing Sundays; Your Recipe, My Kitchen Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper, I Gotta Create. Petite Hermine Sunday Linky   Sunny Sunday