Mushroom Dressing

in Vegetarian Thanksgiving

**Note: the Husband told me he hated this recipe.  I really liked it.  Make it at your own risk**

 

Another awesome vegetarian Thanksgiving recipe coming at ya!

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Past recipes (look, our menu is coming together, slowly but surely! Now, I just need an entree and a dessert):

 

 

Today’s recipe is for Mushroom Dressing, AKA Mushroom Stuffing.  But since it’s not stuffed in anything, we’ll call it dressing.

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The bread is the most important part of great stuffing.  You want a long, thin multi-grain or whole-wheat baguette for this dressing.  The more seeds, the better!

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Mushroom Stuffing

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 1 long, thin 13 ounce multi-grain baguette, with a hard crust
  • 1 pack (8 ounce) white mushrooms
  • 5 stalks celery
  • 1 handful Italian parsley
  • 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
  • 2 cups mushroom broth
  • Salt and Pepper (generous amounts)

 

Directions:

 

  • Preheat over to 350 degrees and grease a long casserole dish.
  • Slice baguette into 1/2 inch wide pieces.  Pour into a large bowl.

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  • Chop celery and mushrooms. Add to bowl.
  • Chop parsley. Add to bowl with pepper and salt.
  • Add pumpkin seeds to bowl.

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  • Toss ingredients.
  • Pour in broth and use your hands to thoroughly coat all the bread.
  • Pour into casserole dish.  There will be liquid at the bottom – that’s OK.  Cover with aluminum foil.

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  • Bake for 1 hour, then increase temperature to 425 degrees, remove  aluminum foil, and cook for another 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let cool.
  • Serve and enjoy!

 

I loved this stuffing.  If I were to make it again, I would probably add some melted vegan butter (1/4 cup) to the mix before baking just to give it that extra buttery taste.  But all in all, this is a very healthy stuffing dressing  – and I loved it.

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I had about 1.5 servings (the recipe makes about 6) with a sweet potato and beans.

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For dessert, a leftover bar.

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What I’m Currently Reading…

 

I don’t blog about it a lot, but I read a ton of books! I love to read so much and prefer it to watching TV.  I’m currently reading Look Again by Lisa Scottoline.  I’m almost done, and it’s really good.  Better and less predictable than you would think it would be.

Look Again

Recently, other books that I’ve read/listened to on audio tape and stick out in my mind include:

 

Down Came the Rain (by Brooke Shields)

Down Came the Rain

Eat, Pray, Love (my review)

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want

The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want

Eating Animals

Eating Animals

American Wife

American Wife: A Novel (New York Times Notable Books)

Guerilla Advertising

Guerrilla Advertising: Cost-Effective Techniques for Small-Business Success

The Murder Room

The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World's Most Perplexing Cold Cases

I actually liked all the books I’ve listed, except Guerilla Marketing (it didn’t apply to our acupuncture business as much as I’d hoped it would) and The Murder Room (because it was disjointed and creepy).

 

What have you been reading in the last six months or so?

{ 70 comments }

 

  • Maura November 13, 2010, 4:42 pm

    I just started reading “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” by Tucker Max, and found myself laughing out loud hysterically. The more I read though, I realized…he’s a total total ass. The names he calls girls makes me wonder if I’m an ass if I continue to read it.

    • Jen November 13, 2010, 7:37 pm

      LOL 🙂

    • Taysa November 13, 2010, 8:48 pm

      It pains me how popular that book has been.

      • Maura November 13, 2010, 9:12 pm

        I got to the part where he calls one girl “Elephant Legs” and another “Fatty” – and then I promptly burned it.

        • Caitlin November 14, 2010, 8:35 pm

          I read a little in a bookstore and was floored. I can see why people are talking about it though.

      • Anne November 14, 2010, 6:33 am

        I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way!
        Here are some good articles examining his asshole-ness:

        http://gawker.com/5041503/field-guide-tucker-max

        http://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-marketing-tucker-max

      • Maura November 14, 2010, 9:26 pm

        Perhaps we should just stick Operation Beautiful notes on every page that has a derogatory term…but we’d probably need one for 80% of the book.

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks November 13, 2010, 4:46 pm

    I’m reading “squirrel seeks chipmunk” by David Sedaris (Author of Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked, Barrel Fever, etc.). So funny. I love his work!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 13, 2010, 4:53 pm

    I read My Life In France by Julia Child and loved it. You mentioned quite a few that I would like to read too! Your dressing looks delicious, but I do love dressing and mushrooms, so I see how that would be a perfect match! Have a great night Caitlin!

  • janae @ hungryrunnergirl November 13, 2010, 4:56 pm

    That stuffing looks so good!! I feel like the only thing I have been reading is textbooks…I teach 6 different subjects. I am determined to start a book for me, thanks for the recommendations!

  • Krista @ Can't Survive on Yarn Alone November 13, 2010, 5:08 pm

    I just finished The Long Quiche Goodnight (Cheese Shop Mystery) by Avery Aames and Burned by PC & Kristin Cast which is the latest of the House of Night series.

    I sooo want to read the Portia De Rossi memoir.

  • Shari November 13, 2010, 5:11 pm

    I’ve read SO many fantastic books within the past few months. At the top of the list are Kathryn Stockett’s “The Help” and Sarah Pekkanen’s “The Opposite of Me.” I also really, really loved Kristin Chenoweth’s autobiography. It was touching and witty at the same time 🙂

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef November 13, 2010, 5:14 pm

    i’m making some stuffing for dinner tonight too! but i suppose it’s actually dressing because it’s not stuffed in anything. my mom is a nursing professor and so even though we eat meat, our stuffing is never in the turkey because of contamination issues. i unfortunately haven’t been reading a ton lately because of grad school but i finished a book yesterday that was great. it’s called ‘the exile of sara stevenson’ by darci hannah, and it’s a historical love/time travel story set in scotland in the 1800s/early 1900s. it’s great!

  • Kelly November 13, 2010, 5:14 pm

    Haha I love that you called in dressing. My mom hasn’t been “stuffing” the “stuffing” for years- since I was a little kid. She always makes it separate and we still call it stuffing, plus it tastes way better!

    Can’t wait to read what others have been reading I’m looking for a new book. I’m reading The Happiness Project right now, so good!

  • Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat November 13, 2010, 5:17 pm

    I got briefly obsessed with the The Bride Quartet books by Nora Roberts–not very thought provoking reading, but good happy books nonetheless!

  • Amy* November 13, 2010, 5:22 pm

    It looks like your taste in books is very diverse! I just started reading 1984 because it’s a classic that I’ve never read. I just finished Maze Runner and Walk Softly Rachel. They are both young adult lit, which is what I like best, and I’d reccomend both of them. I’m really excited for the new book Bumped. It’s by one of my favorite authors (Megan McCafferty), but it doesn’t come out for a while. The wait is killing me!*

  • Madeline - Greens and Jeans November 13, 2010, 5:28 pm

    I am in between books right now, which is killing me because I usually like to read before bed! I just moved and I am still without a library card in my new city. One of the best books I have read recently is “A Secret History.” SUCH a good read!

  • Charlie November 13, 2010, 5:42 pm

    This bread looks incredible! And the mushroom stuffing too! 🙂

    I’m mostly reading for school right now but I’m also reading a book on insomnia a teacher recommended us and it is very interesting! Novels are a treat for Christmas and summer ;). Last summer, I began reading the Sookie Stackhouse novels so I’ll probably continue reading those when school ends!

  • Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest November 13, 2010, 5:45 pm

    I’ve been reading Stieg Larsson’s books. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was so good and now I am halfway through the Girl Who Played with Fire, also an excellent read.

    • Maddie November 13, 2010, 8:46 pm

      Just started Dragon Tattoo! I’m excited because I’ve only heard good things 🙂

  • Lesley November 13, 2010, 5:49 pm

    Yum, stuffing is what makes Thanksgiving, imo. I love that you love to read! I always have at least 4-5 books checked out from the library. Right now I just finished The Lovely Bones, and just started The Hunger Games – both of which I recommend.

    This is totally unrelated to your post, but I wanted to share that I signed up for my first 5k on Jan 1. One of my friends asked what inspired me to do this, and in my slew of answers I said, “and Caitlyn!”. 🙂

    • Lesley November 13, 2010, 5:51 pm

      oops, sorry I misspelled your name!

    • Caitlin November 14, 2010, 8:36 pm

      I am so happy! You are going to rock it.

  • Katie November 13, 2010, 5:53 pm

    I’m about to start Eating Animals – my friend got it for my birthday. Has anyone else read it? Thoughts?

    • Brittany November 13, 2010, 11:40 pm

      I’m reading Eating Animals- it’s incredible. It’s witty and really thought-provoking. In my heart I know the answer about how I feel regarding eating meat, it’s just hard to give up the emotional attachment.

      Read it!

    • Brittany November 13, 2010, 11:42 pm

      not sure if my last comment published, but definitely definitely read eating animals!

  • Sarah November 13, 2010, 5:58 pm

    I just finished (don’t mock) Angelina Jolie’s biography. It was actually fascinating. I didn’t realize how messed up her life is – and her current lifestyle makes a lot more sense to me now. Definitely a good read.

    • Caitlin November 14, 2010, 8:36 pm

      i would love to learn more about her actually.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 13, 2010, 5:59 pm

    LOVED look again! Honestly, really good book – I read it over the summer!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss November 13, 2010, 6:01 pm

    Bookmarked! I must try this for Thanksgiving, mushrooms are soo yummy. Love that the bread’s actually healthy, too..none of that white stuff 😛

  • Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) November 13, 2010, 6:06 pm

    I’m currently reading ‘Eat Pray Love’ at the mo, and really enjoying it! About to start reading ‘In Defence of Food’ by Michael Pollen too 🙂
    And that ‘stuffing’ looks really good- I love anything with mushrooms in it! 😀

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing November 13, 2010, 6:11 pm

    Right this moment I’m reading Elin Hildebrand’s “Castaways.” it’s one of those books, though, where you have to know how it ends to form an opinion.

  • michelle November 13, 2010, 6:16 pm

    I’m too busy reading books for school right now. *sigh* I wish I had more time for pleasure reading.

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations November 13, 2010, 6:17 pm

    I haven’t read eating animals yet, but it’s on my list. You really should read The Face on your Plate. I think you’ll enjoy it.

  • Amy November 13, 2010, 6:37 pm

    The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins!!! Best books I’ve read in a LONG time. Seriously, you’ll be hooked.

  • Marie-Journey to Body Zen November 13, 2010, 6:59 pm

    The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. It’s really good!

  • Mandiee November 13, 2010, 7:02 pm

    Yum, looks great! The seedy bread definitely gives it a special touch. Maybe a lentil loaf for your entree? I have a great recipe with apples, sunflower seeds/pecans, and raisins, if you would like it. Eating animals is on my to read list. I’m happy to hear it’s a good read :).

    Have a lovely day!
    xox

  • Kristen November 13, 2010, 7:06 pm

    The Mushroom Stuffing/Dressing looks fabulous! Yum!!!

    I read American Wife and could not put it down! Hope you’re enjoying it too!

  • Camille November 13, 2010, 7:10 pm

    I haven’t been reading much lately because I have been busy with school. The last book I read that really sticks out in my mind is “Skinny Bitch”. Everyone has been talking about it so I had to see what it was all about!

  • Anne November 13, 2010, 7:12 pm

    I love the vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes you’re blogging!
    The New York Times also has a collection of vegetarian, vegan, and a few gluten free recipes:
    http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/08/health/20101108_thanksgiving.html

    Like a few other commenters, I’m pretty much only reading for school. That being said, I’m at the point in my undergrad program that what I’m reading completely interests me, and I would read about the topics “for fun” even if it wasn’t for class.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 13, 2010, 7:20 pm

    This stuffing looks so good! I think I like the stuffing more than the actual turkey at Thanksgiving. 😀

    The only thing I’ve been reading lately are my textbooks. Ugh!

  • Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me November 13, 2010, 7:23 pm

    I love reading too! Right now I’m reading The Unnamed but it’s pretty awful, haha. Oh well!

  • Thetreadmilldiaries November 13, 2010, 7:27 pm

    Love the look of your dressing (stuffing). What’s even better is that this is a dish I shy away from on Turkey Day even though I love it because it’s not as ‘healthy’….and with this version you don’t have to. Nice!

  • Jen November 13, 2010, 7:40 pm

    I have a love affair with stuffing (or dressing). It’s not normal and a big part of the Holidays for me.

    Glad you higlighted some of what you’ve been reading! It seems like you read a variety. How did you find “The How of Happiness” ? The “scientific” approach seems both interesting and draining – I like the idea of just living and doing what feels right versus it being calculated. But sometimes, I’m starting to see, maybe a focus is essential.

    • Caitlin November 14, 2010, 8:37 pm

      i think it was really interesting. i would definitely read it if you think it sounds interesting!

  • Amy November 13, 2010, 7:47 pm

    I just read Live Like a Fruit Fly. It’s a fast read but an AMAZING book. Great positive message in living life to the fullest. I highly recommend it!!

  • Raya November 13, 2010, 7:49 pm

    I LOOOOOOOVED Brooke Shield’s “Down Came the Rain”-I thought it was SO honest and revealing. And it really gives a great look into a subject that wasn’t talked about a lot until recently. I’ve also read (and liked) American Wife and I looooooved Eat Pray Love. Such an amazing journey. Right now I’m reading Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert-it’s basically about the history of marriage and it’s really interesting! I’ve been surprised several times so far. I’ve found there are definitely a lot of misconceptions about why marriage was “created” and how it has evolved. 🙂

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table November 13, 2010, 8:12 pm

    I just read Adventures of an Italian Food Lover. It is a cookbook and a story. Warning: it will make you want a LOT of pasta. 🙂

    Also read the Tipping Point and loved it!

  • Faith @ lovelyascharged November 13, 2010, 8:18 pm

    Oh yum, does that ever look awesome! This is the first Thanksgiving that I’ll be contributing a dish to the menu, so keep these awesome vegetarian options coming!!!

    I’m an English major, so I read TONS…the best thing I’ve read recently was The Catcher in the Rye. It was so engrossing that I read it in one day! I mean, I’m a fast reader, but with my busy schedule that pretty much never happens…it was just that great of a novel!

  • Maddie November 13, 2010, 8:45 pm

    LOOK AGAIN IS AWESOME! I think I read it in about 2 days this summer. So unpredictable til the last page! Loved it.

  • Alyssa November 13, 2010, 8:45 pm

    The Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson!!! You know, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and THe Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. Awesome awesome books 🙂

    I posted this a few posts ago (and you probably saw it), but just in case, the Well blog on the New York Times site has an interactive piece going on about vegetarian/vegan dishes for Thanksgiving. They’ve got a blog and an page with illustrations and recipes for a bunch of dishes they update. Maybe a place for some inspiration/ideas? 🙂

    Here’s a link to the recipe page:
    http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/08/health/20101108_thanksgiving.html

    Here’s a link to the blog: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/vegetarian-thanksgiving/

  • Taysa November 13, 2010, 8:50 pm

    I’m reading The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen and it’s really funny/depressing so far. I tried reading Eating Animals but thought it was horrible and had to stop (and I’ve been a vegetarian for 14 years and counting–I just can’t stand Jonathan Safran Foer.)

  • Maddie (Healthy Maddie) November 13, 2010, 9:00 pm

    I’ve been reading “Born to Run” which I love! I read Eat, Pray, Love a while ago and really enjoyed it too. I love reading but haven’t been doing much of it lately. I should change that 🙂

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In November 13, 2010, 9:26 pm

    I’m looking for good thanksgiving vegetarian recipes so keep ’em coming!
    I’ve been reading the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series and really like it!

  • J. November 13, 2010, 9:46 pm

    I made those bars…I ate the whole pan at midngight.. Yeah…
    Anyway, finished “Open” by Andre Agassi last week. I like the tennis world , so I liked the book very much.
    Reading “Just Listen” by Sarah Dessen, which is really youngish – more high schooler, but I figure I need to finish it. The library is limited in options, and I certainly cannot buy!
    Suggestions on books re organization or life or things would be nice if you have any.

  • Wei-Wei November 13, 2010, 9:57 pm

    I’ve been reading some pretty classic stuff – I finished A Clockwork Orange, and I LOVED it. I watched the movie until 4am last night… really, really, amazingly funny stuff. Also been reading more dystopian novels – I reread 1984 and now I’m reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey.

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit November 13, 2010, 11:50 pm

    That stuffing (we call it stuffing in New England!) looks amazing. I will just have to make it. I just read a great memoir called “space’.

  • Poppy @ From Fried Chicken Tofu November 13, 2010, 11:57 pm

    I’m actually also reading Eating Animals, which has been really good. And I just got finished reading the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy…The first two books were great…the third book sucked!

  • Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) November 14, 2010, 5:52 am

    It also confusing me when people call these recipes “dressing.” I like to think of it as stuffing!

    My current read is a series of books by Katherine Heitzmann. It’s an easy read, just what i need after a busy day of class! Much more relaxing that TV watching, for me anyways!!

    I call it stuffing as

  • Katie November 14, 2010, 6:49 am

    That stuffing looks amazing – the most excited I’ve been about finding a recipe on a blog in a long time – because the stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner!!!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) November 14, 2010, 7:38 am

    I’m glad to hear you liked the American Wife! I just picked it up for $5, and wasn’t sure if it was worth reading or not. Now I’m excited. 😀

  • Michelle November 14, 2010, 8:07 am

    Thanks for all the book reviews, I’m always looking for new books to read! I’m currently reading “The Help” and I love it! I also am reading a really interesting biography of Alexander Hamilton. That man was full of scandal.

  • Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun November 14, 2010, 8:26 am

    Great recipe! There are too many meat-eaters in my family for me to make it in place of the traditional stuffing, but I am planning on making it for me to enjoy with leftovers! 😀

  • Jenny November 14, 2010, 9:31 am

    Thanks for the book suggestions. Eat Pray Love was so good. I actually just wrote a review on it too:
    http://www.enjoyyourcheerios.com/2010/11/tune-in-tuesday-eat-pray-loveand-read.html
    I read your review and I think we agree on a lot of points.

  • Amber K November 14, 2010, 11:00 am

    I’m also reading constantly, right now I’m reading Tim Gunn’s Golden Rules and Dead End Gene Pool a memoir from Wendy Burden.

    I know it makes me a bad vegetarian, but I HATE mushrooms. They are soooo gross. 😉

  • Jennifer November 14, 2010, 11:11 am

    I just finished John Grisham’s “the confession”. His books are always fast paced and a very good read. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end!

  • Trish November 14, 2010, 11:17 am

    Love all the book ideas. I love, love, love to read and always like to know what’s good.

    And the recipes look good. I actually am making your quinoa crunch casserole today – for the second time. 🙂

  • Lisa November 14, 2010, 4:13 pm

    If you’re looking for a phenomenal dessert there’s a vegan pumpkin cheesecake over at fat free vegan. I made it for Canadian thanksgiving and it’s my new favorite cheesecake, vegan or not!

  • Charise November 15, 2010, 9:08 am

    I’m on a grad-school break this quarter, so I’ve been reading a lot! Some good ones: Never Let Me Go, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack, The Poisonwood Bible, Animal Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life.

  • Leila November 16, 2010, 12:07 am

    A few others have mentioned the Hunger Games series and Ialso loooooved them! Well the first two, the third was a tad too depressing for my taste. Right now I’m reading two YA books: Gathering Blue, by Lois Lowry and Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen. Both good, but BYT is rather fluffy.

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