Michael Davis
There are a variety of opinions on whether mushrooms need to be soaked before cooking. Some people believe that washing mushrooms can make them slimy and less flavourful, while others argue that a quick rinse is necessary to remove dirt and debris. It is recommended that if you do wash mushrooms, they should be cooked immediately as washing can damage the surface cells and cause discolouration. Dried mushrooms, on the other hand, are often soaked in water before use to reconstitute them and remove any grit. This soaking liquid can also be used to add flavour to dishes. The soaking time for dried mushrooms depends on their size and thickness, with thinly sliced mushrooms needing 20-30 minutes and thicker, whole cap mushrooms taking longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking Time | Varies depending on the size and thickness of the mushrooms. Thinly sliced mushrooms take 20-30 minutes, while thicker and whole cap mushrooms may take longer. |
| Water Temperature | Hot water can be used to speed up the rehydration process. |
| Soaking Liquid Usage | Can be used for cooking, such as in soups, stews, sauces, risottos, and marinades. It adds flavor to dishes. |
| Rinsing | Recommended after soaking to remove any remaining grit. |
| Storage | Dried mushrooms can be stored for a long time (up to a year or more) in a well-sealed container. |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking dried mushrooms
Dried mushrooms are a versatile ingredient used in many cuisines. They are often chosen for their rich, savoury flavour and ability to enhance the taste of less flavourful mushrooms. However, one of the biggest challenges with dried mushrooms is their texture; they are notoriously gritty. Soaking dried mushrooms is an essential step in preparing them for cooking, as it removes the grit and rehydrates them.
To soak dried mushrooms, simply place them in a bowl of water. The soaking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the mushrooms. Thinly sliced mushrooms will be rehydrated in 20-30 minutes, while thicker, whole cap mushrooms may take longer. You can expedite the process by soaking them in hot water. Mushrooms are ready to use when they have softened all the way through.
Once the mushrooms are soft, remove them from the water and squeeze them lightly to remove excess water. Taste a mushroom, and if you detect any grittiness, you will need to rinse them. To do this, place the mushrooms in a strainer and run them under the faucet for several seconds, tossing them to ensure all the grit is gone.
The soaking liquid that remains after you have soaked your mushrooms is also valuable. Place a strainer over a bowl and line it with a coffee filter or paper towel. The resulting liquid will be full of flavour and can be used in your dish.
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Removing grit from dried mushrooms
Dried mushrooms are a great way to add flavour to your dishes, but they often come with a lot of grit. This can be a challenge as it only takes a tiny amount of grit to ruin a whole dish. Soaking the mushrooms is a great way to remove most of the grit, and there are a few additional steps you can take to ensure your dried mushrooms are grit-free.
Firstly, it is important to purchase your mushrooms from a reliable source or brand known for its quality. Price is often a good indicator, as pricier versions tend to have higher quality and lower grit. Soaking times will vary depending on the size and thickness of the mushrooms, with thinly sliced mushrooms taking around 20-30 minutes to rehydrate, and thicker, whole cap mushrooms taking a little longer. You can speed up the process by soaking them in hot water, but be careful not to overdo it as mushrooms are already mostly water and can lose flavour with extended soaking.
Once they are soft, remove the mushrooms from the water, giving them a light squeeze to remove excess water. Taste a mushroom, and if you detect any grittiness, it is time to rinse them. Place the mushrooms in a strainer and run them under the faucet for several seconds, tossing them to ensure all the grit is gone. You can also use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub away any remaining dirt.
Your mushrooms are now ready to use, and you can chop them up to add a huge amount of flavour to your dish. Don't forget to strain the soaking liquid as well, as this can be used to add even more flavour to your recipes.
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Rehydrating dried mushrooms
The general consensus is that dried mushrooms should be soaked in warm water for a few hours. This will ensure that the mushrooms are fully rehydrated. However, some people believe that room temperature water is better as it extracts less flavour from the mushrooms, leaving more mushroomy flavour in the mushroom itself. If you are in a hurry, warm or hot water can be used, but this will result in more of the mushroom's flavour being extracted into the soaking water.
Once the mushrooms are rehydrated, they should be strained and chopped. Even a small amount of rehydrated mushrooms will add enormous flavour to a dish. The soaking water can also be used in recipes such as soups, stews, sauces, pâtés, and gratins, as it contains a lot of the mushroom's flavour.
It is important to note that rehydrating mushrooms is not the same as cooking them. Mushrooms contain a substance called chitin, which human stomachs cannot digest. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly cook mushrooms after rehydrating them.
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Cleaning fresh mushrooms
There are various methods for cleaning fresh mushrooms, and the right one depends on the type of mushroom and how dirty it is. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning fresh mushrooms:
Firstly, it is important to note that mushrooms should be cleaned just before cooking, as moisture can cause them to become mouldy. If you are storing mushrooms, they should be kept in a paper bag or their original packaging in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Secondly, inspect the mushrooms for dirt. If they are fairly clean, you can simply wipe them with a dry paper towel or brush off any remaining dirt with a dry pastry brush. If there is more stubborn dirt, use a slightly damp paper towel or cloth to wipe them down.
If the mushrooms are very dirty, fill a large bowl with cold water and add a few mushrooms at a time, swirling them around for about 10 seconds to loosen any dirt. Then, immediately transfer them to a clean, lint-free towel and pat them dry. Leave them to air-dry before cooking.
Alternatively, you can use a paring knife to peel the mushrooms, although this method is time-consuming. Another option is to use a soft toothbrush or baby brush to gently remove dirt from the gills and cavities, followed by a damp cloth to ensure they are extra clean.
Once the mushrooms are clean, trim the ends of the stems and cut them into halves or quarters, or slice or chop as needed. Always remove shiitake mushroom stems before cutting, as they are tough and not pleasant to eat.
It is worth noting that pre-sliced or chopped mushrooms are usually already clean and ready to eat, so they do not need to be washed.
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Preparing mushrooms for cooking
Fresh Mushrooms
When preparing fresh mushrooms, it is recommended to clean them before cooking. However, there are conflicting opinions on the best way to do this. Some people prefer to brush off the dirt or wipe the mushrooms with a damp cloth or paper towel, as washing the mushrooms is thought to make them slimy and less flavourful. However, others argue that it is okay to wash mushrooms, as long as they are dried off before cooking. Chef Emeril Lagassé even recommends dipping a small brush in water and then using it to brush the mushrooms, minimising the amount of water used. It is also important to only wash the mushrooms right before cooking, as washing them too far in advance can damage the surface cells and cause discolouration.
Dried Mushrooms
Dried mushrooms are often used in cooking to add a rich, savoury flavour to dishes. Before use, they need to be reconstituted with water, which involves soaking them until they are rehydrated. The soaking time varies depending on the size and thickness of the mushrooms, with thinly sliced mushrooms taking around 20-30 minutes, and thicker, whole cap mushrooms taking longer. Using hot water can speed up the process. After soaking, the mushrooms should be lifted from the water, squeezed lightly to remove excess water, and then rinsed to remove any remaining grit. The soaking liquid can also be strained and used in cooking to add flavour to a dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, dried mushrooms need to be soaked and reconstituted with water before cooking. Soaking times vary depending on the size and thickness of the mushrooms. Thinly sliced mushrooms will be rehydrated in 20-30 minutes, while thicker and whole cap mushrooms may take longer.
Mushrooms are ready to use when they are soft all the way through. If they start to smell unpleasant, they have likely been soaked for too long.
The soaking water can be used to add flavour to dishes such as rice or stock. However, this depends on the type of mushroom and its taste.
