Growing up with South American parents meant we were always flying to Brazil over the holidays. Now while this sounds like a pretty sweet deal, understand that this shook my Christmas faith. Sitting in my cousin's living room at four years old all dressed up like a doll and unwrapping my third, Sonho de Valsa (chocolate bonbons I used to love), I realized the gig was up. There were no chimneys which meant...there was NO SANTA. Sitting there wide-eyed and frozen I moved only my eyes and scanned the room passing the little Christmas tree on the coffee table to the other children in the corner. Did anyone hear my thoughts? I have to be careful, there are children in the room...this could very well destroy Christmas.
It was the first and only time I thought my Christmas faith would have been shaken, until now...
Allow me to present to you, where it all began, the mushroom.
Her name is Amanita Muscaria, yes it sounds like a sexy Latin stage name, but don't this fool you. This magic mushroom possesses the secrets to Christmas.
Most of the icons we see during Christmas are actually associated with shamanistic traditions of the tribal people in Northern Europe. Their sacred mushroom was none other than the Amanita Muscaria. Collecting them from under pine trees and filling their sacs they would climb down chimneys due to the snow pile up in front of their yurts (huts). And until today, Siberian shamans dress in the ceremonial red and white fur trimmed jackets to gather mushrooms. The appreciative villagers blessed with these mushrooms would hang them to dry in stockings by the fireplace whereby decreasing the toxicity and increasing the potency of the mushroom. Now don't get me wrong, these Siberian shamans also loved eating these mushrooms as well which would produce a blushed colour on their cheeks and lure in their sacred animal, the reindeer. The hallucinogenic property of this mushroom has been said to induce a feeling of flying, which could explain the legend of flying deer.
Please note: The Amalita Muscaria mushroom is toxic and should not be consumed.
Now I could go on, but I'll let you explore the link further if you want to know more of what rocked my faith. Crazy stuff. As for myself, I love mushrooms...any kind will do. Especially those that are stuffed. Yum.
SEXY STUFFED MUSHROOMS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
6 organic Portobello mushrooms or 12 button mushrooms
1/4 cup sundried tomato (soaked for 20 mins)
1/3 cup pecans
1/3 cup spinach blanched
1 package of goat cheese
1/4 red onion
3-4 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp sea salt
Cracked pepper
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
Saute onions and garlic in a skillet with olive oil until onions caramelize and set aside.
In a food processor, add in pecans and pulse until well chopped. Add in goat cheese, spinach and sundried tomatoes and pulse until smooth. Add in onions, garlic, salt, cracked pepper and chili flakes and pulse until well combined.
Fill mixture into portobello mushroom caps and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Put into the oven at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until portobellos have softened.
This recipe is amazing for vegetarians because of their meaty texture or you could use button mushrooms and serve them as tapas. I love this recipe, because it's gluten-free without any of the usual breadcrumbs added. Not to mention, mushroom also enhance the flavour of any savoury food they're cooked since they're filled with glutamic acid. Therapeutically, they're generally detoxifying since they safely eliminate toxins. Other varying types of mushrooms have been used in the treatment of cancer by increasing white blood cell count and have also been touted for increasing longevity.
Yes, they certainly are magical and perfect for this holiday season. Whether you're spending it with family, friends, or a special someone, there is no better way than to share and receive love than with food.
Peace, love and Merry Mushroom.
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