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Mushroomsmay seem simple, but they’re more complicated to cook with than they appear.
Diana Miller / Getty Images
I learned this the hard way through years of trying and failing to successfully make mushroom recipes.
Over time I learned that mushrooms have a totally different set of needs than other produce.
First, let’s talk about the (many) different kinds of mushrooms.
from left to right: quartered, sliced, diced; Audrey Bruno
“Some are best pickled, others lightly steamed, and others grilled.”
Before use, refrigerate mushrooms in a loose brown paper bag or cardboard box.
Avoid plastic wrap at all costs.
Audrey Bruno
“It’s important to double-check mushrooms are stored well before even cooking,” says Horowitz.
To clean mushrooms, simply wipe the dirt off.
Never, ever, ever rinse them under water.
Audrey Bruno
Instead, he recommends using a soft paint brush to gently brush away any visible dirt.
If you’re whipping up a salad, sliced or quartered mushrooms both work well.
you might also grind them up to make vegetarian meatballsthey have an uncanny meatlike texture.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference.
And don’t throw away those stems!
For mushrooms with woodier stems, like shiitake, he recommends saving them to make a homemademushroom stock.
Burke also likes to dry them and grind them to use in tea.
Use about a tablespoon of your fat source for every 10 ounces of mushrooms.
Avoid crowding them together while they cook.
bonappetit.com
Whether you’re roasting or sauteing, leave enough room on the pan for the water to fully evaporate.
Wait to salt mushrooms until after they’ve started to brown.
And any extra water can make it harder for the mushrooms to brown.
To get you started, here are a couple extremely basic ways to cook mushrooms.
And here are some recipes that’ll help you experiment with them.
Herb and Mushroom Pasta
Make this pasta when you want to practice your mushroom sauteing skills.
Garlic Mushroom Kabobs
These meat-like skewers are delicious barbecue alternative for vegetarians and vegans.
Spicy Tofu With Pickled Shiitake Mushrooms
This pickled mushroom recipe will definitely satisfy those with adventurous tastebuds.
