Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona issued a cooking challenge to children ages 9 through 12, seeking healthy and tasty side dish recipes. These top five recipes were chosen based on nutrition, taste and originality, and the young chefs presented the dishes at a cookoff in the West Valley. Cookoff videos were posted on the Walk On website where people cast votes for their favorite dish. The winner of the Walk On Kids Cooking Challenge is Sophia Gray. Congratulations to all of the contestants!
Ian Charon, 12, attends West Point Elementary School in Surprise. His favorite thing to cook is mushrooms and his sister loves to eat them, too. Ian’s favorite healthy foods are mushrooms and tomatoes. He thinks it’s important to eat healthy, “so you can grow and get muscles and stay healthy.” He plays football and baseball and he likes competition.
Ingredients
¼ cup Italian style breadcrumbs
¼ cup parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. parsley
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp. paprika
1 tsp. basil
1 pinch of salt and pepper
14 large white mushrooms with stems removed
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 410 degrees.
2. Combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, garlic, pepper flakes, salt, pepper, basil and paprika in mixing bowl.
3. Drizzle a large baking sheet with olive oil to coat.
4. Spoon filling into mushrooms and arrange cavity side up on baking sheet.
5. Drizzle olive oil sparingly over filling on each mushroom.
6. Bake until mushrooms are tender and heated through, about 20 minutes.
7. Serve warm.
