Garlicky Creamed Mushrooms, Quick and Easy in Clay!

Suitable for any VitaClay model on the lowest setting (warm or low). 

I have always loved mushrooms. They add a flavor, a depth, an earthiness to every dish they touch. And they're filling! I've eaten (delicious) "mushroom burgers" as a substitute for meat, so I know they are great for satiety, and mushrooms taste great!

I've also read that they're great sources of Vitamin D, and research into Vitamin D has turned up all kinds of great benefits, from prevention of flu and other mild sicknesses to preventing cancer! Sign me up!

I was thrilled to find an idea for creamed mushrooms and was excited to adapt it to VitaClay and give it a try. This is even a great "sauce" to make in the new personalized VitaClay!

This is one side-dish you will go to over and over again, especially if you love mushrooms as much as I do! (If you love mushrooms as much as I do, it might not be a side dish, either-which is fine because it can be turned into a great sauce that is amazing with pasta or rice!)

Ingredients for Creamy Clay Mushrooms:

• 16 oz whole or chopped mushrooms (I love the little brown Criminies, but you can use any type, or even do a mix!)
• 2 T butter (get grass fed organic whenever possible to load up on important fat-soluble nutrients!)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 T cream cheese
• ½ c broth
• 2 spoonfuls fresh or dry herbs (like basil, tarragon, parsley)
• salt & pepper

Directions for Creamy Clay Mushrooms:

1. Add butter to VitaClay pot and set on warm* setting so the butter will melt
2. In a small bowl, mix broth, cream cheese, herbs, salt & pepper, and garlic until blended and smooth
3. Add cheese sauce and mushrooms to the VitaClay pot and stir until coated
4. Close allow to "cook" on warm setting for 15-20 minutes
5. For faster results, set to "slow" for 10 minutes (with this method you need to watch it and keep it from getting too hot so the cheese sauce doesn't split)
6. As soon as your mushrooms are cooked through they are ready to serve!

This cheese sauce is great over pasta, rice, veggies, steak, chicken, fish... almost anything!

These mushrooms can also serve as a lovely and flavorful garnish for any special dish (even thanksgiving turkey, in lieu of gravy!)

*The "warm" setting is a default that engages after each cooking cycle on the 7700-7900 models. Older models can engage the warm setting by pressing "warm." If your model does not accommodate this, set the cooker for 10 minutes on "soup," and it will begin to warm up and then the cooking cycle will end, defaulting to warm.