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I must admit that I’m not really good at following pop culture, I never know when a much anticipated horror movie, it’s remakes or it’s sequels are set to be released. Nor do I always know when a new spooky tv show is set to be aired, so I miss opportunities to create fun recipes that might amplify all that buzz. Well, I hope to change all that with this totally gross, but delicious recipe inspired by the Clicker zombies from the HBO hit series, The Last of Us. I absolutely love that show and I can’t wait for season 2 to come out in June of next year. Enjoy!
Fungus Among Us
A deliciously grotesque meatloaf made with savory cremini mushrooms inside and oyster mushroom 'growths' on the outside resembling a clicker zombie from the hit HBO series, The Last of Us .
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups dried oyster mushrooms
- 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
- ½ lb. cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. Marsala Wine
- 2 small leeks, white and light green parts only, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ lb. ground turkey, beef or pork
- 1½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup smoked gouda, grated
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced (for teeth)
- 1 slice bologna (for tongue)
- 2 small pearl onions (for eyes)
- 1 cup bottled barbeque sauce
Instructions
Oyster Mushroom Prep
- Add dried oyster mushrooms to a large bowl and pour very hot water over them and soak for about 30 minutes or until the dried mushrooms are softened. Drain mushrooms and set on paper towels until ready to use.
Cremini Mushroom Prep for Meatloaf
- Over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the ½ lb of cremini mushrooms to a large skillet and sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add Marsala wine and continue to heat until the wine is evaporated. Transfer mushrooms to a large bowl and allow them to cool.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to and sauté leeks until they are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the leeks to the mushrooms and cool completely. Transfer the cool cremini mushroom/leek mixture to a food processor.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add turkey, bread crumbs, egg, smoked gouda, salt, pepper, onion powder and Italian seasoning to the food processor and pulse until all ingredients are combined.
- Turn out meatloaf mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to mold it into a large oval, poke into meatloaf to make eyes and a large gaping mouth and mold a nose.
- Cut up a small onion into 1-inch pieces to create teeth and stick them into the mouth area of the meatloaf. Cut a small circle from a slice of bologna and stick it in the mouth to create a tongue. Add two pearl onions for the eyes, with the root ends acting as pupils.
- Stick oyster mushroom pieces into the meatloaf all around the head dividing them on either side of the face so that they meet in the middle, like a part. Continue to add mushrooms until you get the desired look.
- Brush outside with barbeque sauce and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with extra barbeque sauce.
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