Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Mushrooms "Lite"

   

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     Here's an easy little Fourth of July appetizer recipe you can whip up in less than an hour before heading out to the family cookout.
     Because our family will be hanging out on the beach in a month, I modified the ingredients to the "lighter" version of everything, but you can opt for regular cream cheese and bacon if you prefer. (Me personally, I can't let all these summer workouts getting beat up by Jillian Michaels go to waste!)
     Whatever way you choose, here you go:

Mushrooms ~ 20, stems removedTurkey Bacon ~1 lb, some cut in half
Fat-free or Low-fat Cream Cheese ~ 16 ounces
Green Onions ~ 1/2 cup, chopped

     Turn oven on to 350 degrees. Mix together green onions and cream cheese, then stuff mushroom caps with the mixture. Wrap each mushroom with a half slice of bacon, securing with toothpicks, and place on baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.
     For this particular occasion, I am serving the apps with blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and patriotic toothpicks, which I exchange with the original picks once the appetizers are removed from the oven. Then I cover loosely with foil and am out the door to celebrate the birth of this awesome nation with loved ones.
     For the record, if you prefer Bacon Wrapped Mushrooms on the grill, I came across this recipe you might want to try instead: Blue Cheese Filled Bacon Wrapped Mushrooms.  A little different from mine, but if you are a griller, these may be the way to go for the holiday.

     Have a wonderful Fourth :)

For the kids and the lucky non-calorie counters, here is the recipe to my Seasonal Sugar Cookies.  All you have to do is top with red, white, and blue :  Seasonal Sugar Cookies

And for total decadence, try these S'mores Chocolate Cupcakes :)