Shiitake Pizza Bites

Ingredients:

½ lbs XL Shiitakes

Pizza Sauce (you can thicken your mushroom marinara sauce for this!)

Mozzarella - shredded

Any other topping you like on pizza

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F

2. Use a large cast iron pan. Heat on med-high and lubricate with olive oil. Cut the stems off the shiitake mushrooms and place them gills side down on the hot pan. Use a second cast iron pan or another similarly sized pot with water (for weight) to press down the shiitakes while cooking. This encourages them to lose their water faster.

3. After 2-3 minutes remove your extra pan and use a spatula to flip the shiitakes gills side up. Lightly salt each mushroom and put your weight back on top of the shiitakes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

4. Remove your weight, turn the burner off and move the cast iron to cool burner on the stove. Use a spoon to apply and spread your pizza sauce. Then sprinkle each shiitake with cheese. Add any additional toppings of choice.

5. Put your cast iron pan into the oven on the top shelf and set a timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the oven up to broil. Careful Now! Watch closely for the next 1-2 minutes as the cheese starts to brown, then remove from the oven.

6. Use a spatula to move the pizza bites from the hot pan to a plate for serving. Sprinkle with your choice of oregano, garlic powder, onion pwder, and hot pepper flakes on top and serve.

30 minute cook time - serves 1-4