MUSHROOMS: #FNIchat 10.15.12 presented by @MushroomChannel

What pops out of the earth wearing a cap, is filled to the brim with umami galore, and is wrapped up in pink for the rest of the month? Why, MUSHROOMS, of course. As defined by @CityofHope — and every flavor-lovin’ foodie on the planet — mushrooms are a SUPERFOOD and it’s about time we celebrate them in Foodies’ Night In-style.

Smack dab in the middle of this Breast Cancer Awareness October, we are proud to have partnered with The Mushroom Council (@MushroomChannel) in support of @CityofHope and their cancer-fighting efforts. Together with a slew of brilliant food-focused Twitterers — including special guest @ChefKatieChin – we are pushing live an #FNIchat set to showcase mushrooms as the superfood they are. Join us for an inspired exchange on everything from mushroom “swapability” to ways to play with all the umami.

NEW! We’d love to start sharing all recipes exchanged during Foodies’ Night In via Pinterest by inviting you to pin on the #FNIchat boards. Please shoot us a quick email (molly@cookingwithcaitlin.com) to give us your email address or Pinterest name, or leave in a comment below.

What: #FNIchat (Foodies’ Night In) Twitter party
When: Monday, October 15th, 4-5:30 EST
Where: On Twitter (or through this custom tweetgrid) with hashtag #FNIchat
Topic: MUSHROOMS presented by @MushroomChannel
Who: @cookingwcaitlin, @foodiesnitein, @MushroomChannel, @ChefKatieChin, @coryanneettiene, @hungrygoddess, @primlanikitchen, @reneedobbs, @cozifamily, and YOU!!

Spread the Good Word

Pass along the party scoop with the following tweet:

MUSHROOM-stuffed #FNIchat pops up MONDAY. Join @cookingwcaitlin @foodiesnitein @MushroomChannel 4-5:30ET http://bit.ly/TnfWLg.

How Foodies’ Night In Works:.
Late Monday afternoons (4-6pm eastern to be exact) we meet through Twitter. Using the hashtag #FNIchat we greet each other at the virtual door, and get cozy to talk about whatever food-related topic we are featuring that day. Typically the topic will be determined by the weekly sponsor of #FNIchat. We, at Cooking with Caitlin, compile at least ten questions that serve as the framework of the conversation over the two hours of #FNIchat. Then, the hosts throw out each question at pre-determined times throughout #FNIchat. We hope that YOU will join in the fun-filled foodie conversation and share your thoughts, recipes, tips, ask questions…and most certainly make new friends! Can’t wait to *see* you there.

And HERE are the questions that framed the exchange. We invite you to dig right in and let us know what YOU think:

Q1. Welcome to this MUSHROOM-stuffed #FNIchat! What’s YOUR go-to mushroom meal?

Q2. Shiitake, Crimini, and Button, oh my! Which is your favorite mushroom? #FNIchat

Q3. UMAMI play? How do you balance rich, earthy mushroom flavor? #Seasoning tips & tricks? #FNIchat

Q4. SUPERfood Swapability: What are mushroom-y additions & substitutions that really beef up every day #recipes? #FNIchat

Q5. Creamy, brothy, chunky, smooth… What are your fave #SOUP-for-the-soul #recipes made better with fresh mushrooms? #FNIchat

Q6. Cap Runneth Over – How do you stuff a mushroom just right? Pan-fry or bake? Pre-cook the mushrooms? #FNIchat

Q7. How to clean a carton of dirty mushrooms? Myths and Facts? Stance on stems?? #FNIchat

Q8. Pink October: SUPERfood faves you crave? Health-conscious #recipes that honor breast cancer awareness? #FNIchat

Q9. #Pinterest-worthy show of mushroom versatility? Best boards/sites/blogs for colorful #foodie inspiration? #FNIchat

Q10. From pilaf to pasta, name your fave fork-twirling #recipe featuring mushrooms. To-die-for risottos? #FNIchat

Q11. Best way to SUPERcharge a blank PIZZA canvas? Mushroom-topped designs? Flatbreads and focaccias? #FNIchat

Q12. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? At which meal are mushroom #recipes most brilliantly showcased? #FNIchat

Q13. One savory crostini, canapé, cap at a time, name your best mushroom appetizer #recipes. #FNIchat

Q14. When did you first fall for mushrooms? Versatility, taste, health – what’s kept the love alive? #FNIchat

Q15. Oo. MAH. Mee? In three words or less, leave us with a healthy mushroom loooove-tweet. #FNIchat