Happy Friday, gang! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Kelly and I have been thinking about those little touches that make holiday gatherings feel special without adding stress. This week on Fridays with Oscar, we’re sharing two recipes that have become staples in our pre-Thanksgiving lineup: Stuffed Mushrooms with Parmesan & Herbs and a light, bubbly Rosemary Spritz. These recipes strike that perfect balance between impressive and effortless — the kind of food and drink that lets you actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen. Plus, with Ollie supervising the bar setup and Oscar keeping us company, it’s already feeling like a celebration around here.
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🐾 Here’s What You’ll Find in This Post
- 🍄 An easy Stuffed Mushrooms recipe that’s perfect for make-ahead entertaining
- 🍸 A refreshing Rosemary Spritz that’s light, bubbly, and beautifully seasonal
- 💡 Comprehensive FAQs for both recipes with tips and variations
- 🐾 A sweet check-in with Oscar & Ollie as we prep for the holidays
- 👗 A look at what Kelly and I are wearing while we cook and entertain
Stuffed Mushrooms & Rosemary Spritz
A Word About Shortcuts
Before we dive into the recipes, can we talk about the beauty of a good shortcut? While we’re making our mushrooms from scratch, there’s absolutely no shame in supplementing your appetizer spread with quality store-bought options. Trader Joe’s has become our secret weapon for stress-free entertaining — those Parmesan Pastry Pups and Mini Quiches? They’re crowd-pleasers that free you up to focus on the homemade touches. Smart hosting isn’t about doing everything yourself; it’s about knowing where to invest your energy.
🥂 Rosemary Spritz
Let’s start with the drink, because sometimes you need a little something bubbly in hand before you start cooking. The Rosemary Spritz is our answer to holiday cocktails that taste special without requiring a home bar’s worth of ingredients. It’s light, citrusy, and beautifully herbaceous — the kind of drink that feels festive but won’t weigh you down before the big meal.
🥂 Beth’s Tip: For a pitcher version (serves 6-8), combine 1 bottle Prosecco, 1 cup club soda, 3/4 cup elderflower liqueur, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/4 cup simple syrup in a pitcher. Add rosemary sprigs and serve over ice.
Rosemary Spritz
Ingredients:
- 6 oz Prosecco or sparkling wine chilled
- 4 oz club soda
- 2 oz elderflower liqueur St. Germain
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup or to taste
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Lemon wheels or twist for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Prepare glass: Fill a wine glass or large stemmed glass with ice.
- Muddle rosemary (optional): Gently muddle a few rosemary leaves in the glass to release oils, or simply add the whole sprig.
- Build the drink: Add elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to glass.
- Top with bubbles: Pour in Prosecco, then top with club soda. Gently stir to combine.
- Garnish: Add a fresh rosemary sprig and lemon wheel.
- Serve immediately while bubbly and cold.
Tips/Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Rosemary Spritz
Q: Can I make this cocktail without alcohol?
A: Absolutely! Use sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine in place of the Prosecco, and substitute the St. Germain with elderflower syrup (available at specialty stores or online). You’ll still get that beautiful floral, herbaceous flavor.
Q: What’s the best type of Prosecco to use?
A: You don’t need to splurge on expensive Prosecco for this cocktail since it’s mixed with other ingredients. A mid-range bottle (around $12-15) works beautifully. Look for something dry rather than extra-dry or sweet.
Q: Can I prep this ahead for a party?
A: You can absolutely make a pitcher version ahead (see Beth’s tip in the recipe). Combine everything except the bubbles, then add the Prosecco and club soda right before serving to maintain the fizz.
Q: What can I substitute for St. Germain?
A: If you can’t find elderflower liqueur, try a splash of elderflower cordial (reduce the simple syrup accordingly), or substitute with a floral honey syrup. The drink will have a different flavor profile but will still be delicious.
Q: How do I make the rosemary flavor more prominent?
A: Gently muddle a few rosemary leaves in the glass before building the drink, or make a rosemary simple syrup by steeping fresh rosemary in your simple syrup while it cools.
Q: What other garnishes work well?
A: Try a sprig of fresh thyme, a few fresh cranberries for color, or a twist of grapefruit peel for extra citrus notes.
🍄 Stuffed Mushrooms with Parmesan & Herbs
Now for the star of the show. These stuffed mushrooms have been in my entertaining rotation for years, and for good reason — they’re the rare appetizer that manages to be both crowd-pleasing and sophisticated. The filling is rich with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, while the mushrooms themselves become tender and savory in the oven. Best of all? You can assemble them hours ahead and just pop them in the oven when guests arrive.
🍄 Kelly’s Tip: These can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated. Just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
Stuffed Mushrooms with Parmesan & Herbs
Ingredients:
- 24 large white or baby bella mushrooms about 1.5-2 inches in diameter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1/4 cup cream cheese softened (optional, for creamier filling)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the mushrooms: Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Remove stems and finely chop them. Set caps aside.
- Make the filling: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped mushroom stems and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and moisture has evaporated.
- Combine ingredients: In a bowl, mix sautéed mushroom stems and garlic with panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and cream cheese (if using). Season with salt and pepper. The mixture should be moist but hold together.
- Stuff mushrooms: Brush mushroom caps with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spoon filling generously into each cap, mounding slightly. Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top.
- Bake: Arrange stuffed mushrooms on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes until mushrooms are tender and tops are golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
Frequently Asked Questions
Stuffed Mushrooms
Q: Can I make these mushrooms ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can stuff the mushrooms up to 4 hours ahead, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time if they’re going into the oven cold.
Q: Can I freeze stuffed mushrooms?
A: You can freeze them before baking. Arrange stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.
Q: What size mushrooms work best?
A: Look for mushrooms that are 1.5-2 inches in diameter — large enough to hold a good amount of filling but still bite-sized. Baby bellas (cremini) have slightly more flavor than white button mushrooms, but both work wonderfully.
Q: My filling seems dry. What should I do?
A: Add the optional cream cheese for moisture, or drizzle in a little extra olive oil until the mixture holds together. It should be moist enough to press into the mushroom caps but not wet.
Q: Can I make these vegetarian?
A: They already are! Just make sure your Parmesan is vegetarian (some contain animal rennet). You can also substitute nutritional yeast for a vegan version.
Q: What can I use instead of panko?
A: Regular breadcrumbs work fine, though panko gives a nicer texture. You can also use crushed crackers (like Ritz) for extra richness, or even crushed stuffing mix for more herbaceous flavor.
Q: How do I prevent soggy mushrooms?
A: Make sure to cook the mushroom stems until all their moisture has evaporated in step 3. Also, don’t wash the mushroom caps with water — just wipe them clean with a damp paper towel.
Q: Can I add meat to the filling?
A: Absolutely! Cooked, crumbled Italian sausage or crispy, chopped bacon make excellent additions. Just reduce the amount of breadcrumbs slightly to compensate.
🐾 Oscar & Ollie: The Thanksgiving Prep Crew
As we head into Thanksgiving week, we’re grateful for these small moments — the ones where good food, good company (human and otherwise), and a little bit of chaos all come together to create something special.
Thanksgiving Style: Cozy Elegance
This week I’m channeling all the cozy, festive vibes in this Ralph Lauren Foxhound Cotton Sweater. The cheerful red feels perfectly seasonal, and I love how the classic crewneck silhouette layers beautifully over an Effortless Non-Iron Shirt for that preppy, put-together look.
I paired it with my go-to Madewell Longline Straight Jeans and Ralph Lauren Suede Loafers for a combination that’s comfortable enough for hours in the kitchen but polished enough if guests stop by early. It’s exactly the kind of outfit that makes holiday prep feel a little more special — functional, festive, and just the right amount of whimsical.
Shop Beth’s Outfit
I’m all about easy elegance this week with my Maeve Colette Cropped Knit Wide-Leg Pants. They’re comfortable enough for cooking but elevated enough that I don’t feel like I need to change if we decide to snap a few photos or answer the door. If you’ve followed the blog for a while, you’ll know that the Colette pants from Anthropologie are one of my favorite styles. I have them in a variety of colors and prints; they’re so flattering and comfortable!
Shop Kelly’s Look
I’ve paired them with a Navy Cashmere V-Neck Sweater and my Madewell Greta Ballet Flats in a festive red. The pop of color feels seasonally appropriate without being overly themed, and the whole look strikes that perfect balance between put-together and approachable. It’s exactly how I want to feel when I’m hosting: comfortable, confident, and ready for whatever the day brings.
Shop Kelly’s Outfit
🍁 Cheers to Easy Thanksgiving Entertaining
As we count down the days to Thanksgiving, Kelly and I are reminded that the best holiday gatherings aren’t about perfection — they’re about creating moments of warmth, good food, and easy hospitality. These Stuffed Mushrooms and Rosemary Spritz recipes embody everything we love about this time of year: they’re elegant enough to feel special, simple enough actually to enjoy making, and delicious enough that your guests will ask for the recipes.
So pour yourself a Spritz, pop a mushroom (warm from the oven, naturally), and take a moment to appreciate the calm before the beautiful chaos of Thanksgiving week. We’re sending you all our love and wishing you a holiday filled with good food, great company, and maybe a furry friend or two keeping you company in the kitchen.
🐾 Oscar, Ollie, Kelly, and I wish you all a beautiful weekend and Thanksgiving Holiday.
For more Thanksgiving entertaining inspiration, check out: Pear & Prosciutto Crostini with Apple Cider Old Fashioneds and 6 Cozy Drinks You Can Make in Minutes
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