At my house, we don't like those fried mushrooms that are black and slimy where the breading slides easily off. This recipe is just a very crisp breading on a fresh mushroom. They'll 'pop' when you cut into them they are so fresh. Panko breadcrumbs are a polished bread crumb that you can find in an Asian market or the International section of your favorite food store and they make just a wonderful crunchier coating, too.
A pinch of saffron goes a long way to add flavor and intense color. The aromatic spice is expensive, and can be eliminated without sacrificing all the flavor. With or without the spice, this pasta and chicken soup recipe is low-cal and low-fat.
