Evening Star's Elegant Stuffed Mushroom Appetizers

Appetizers are a stimulating way of seducing guests' anticipation of an elegant evening and a heartwarming meal. Beginning a delightful evening with an appetizer that is an imtimate and warm delicacy sets the temperature for the evenings' atmosphere.

When time is taken to design, prepare and serve a delicious meal with a variety of heartwarming flavors and a beautiful presentation love illuminates from the one who loves to cook and appreciation naturally fills the warm atmosphere throughout the evening. Soothing flavors gliding across the palette of titillated guests leave tasteful memories of satisfaction from a delightfully warm evening and an elegant meal.

• 18 medium mushroom caps (stems removed)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, broken into 1/4 inch pieces
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 pound prociutto, diced
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 18 olive slices and diced pimentos
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place the ricotta cheese in a large bowl and mix in the parsley, prociiutto, salt, a few grindings of black pepper and the lemon juice. Beat mixture until smooth and set aside.

Place mushroom caps in stainless steel skillet and fry over medium heat for 2 minutes then turn them over and fry for another 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from heat

Fill mushroom caps with the ricotta cheese mixture and top with bits of mozzarella, a black olive slice and a diced pimento in the center. Arrange stuffed mushroom caps side by side in a shallow baking dish and bake for 8 minutes, or until the cheese begins to bubble. Slide mushroom caps under a hot broiler for 30 seconds to brown slightly. Arrange on serving tray and serve immediately.