Laura Smith
Thyme is an herb with a spicy, calm, and agreeable aroma. It is versatile and blends perfectly with mushrooms, making it an excellent choice for cooking. Thyme can be added to mushrooms in various ways, such as sprinkling it over cooked mushrooms or massaging it into the mushrooms before cooking. One popular recipe is garlic thyme mushrooms, where the mushrooms are baked with garlic and thyme, resulting in a savoury flavour and meaty texture. Thyme mushrooms can be served as a side dish or added to other dishes such as tacos, eggs, and salads. They can also be paired with meat, chicken, or vegetarian options like quinoa or beans and rice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of preparation | Easy and quick to prepare |
| Taste | Full of flavor, juicy, rich, savory |
| Health benefits | A weekly dose of veggie goodness |
| Recipe | Sautéed, roasted, seared, baked |
| Ingredients | Mushrooms, garlic, thyme, lemon, olive oil, salt, pepper, butter, soy sauce, lemon zest |
| Serving suggestions | Side dish, tacos, eggs, salads, rice, toast, sandwiches, cheese toasties |
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What You'll Learn
Thyme, garlic, and lemon mushrooms
- Prepare the mushrooms and garlic. If the mushrooms are small enough, leave them whole. Otherwise, cut them in halves or quarters. Chop the garlic finely and set it aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes until they have browned on one side. They will also start to shrink slightly and release some liquid.
- Flip the mushrooms over and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side. At this stage, avoid stirring too much to get a nice, golden brown color.
- Once the mushrooms have browned, add the lemon zest, butter, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Cook everything together for a minute or two, stirring a couple of times.
- Finally, drizzle with lemon juice and toss well.
You can also try a variation of this recipe by steeping the sliced mushrooms in oil, garlic, lemon, and thyme, and then tossing them with hot cooked pasta. This recipe by Nigella Lawson is called "Linguine with Lemon, Garlic, and Thyme Mushrooms." It is a quick and easy dish that can be served as a salad without the pasta.
Thyme and mushrooms are a classic combination, and the addition of garlic and lemon enhances the flavor profile, making it a delicious and healthy meal option.
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Thyme and mushroom duxelles
Thyme and mushrooms are a classic combination, and thyme is often used to flavour mushrooms due to its earthy and aromatic qualities. Mushrooms have a natural earthiness, and thyme enhances this, adding depth and an aromatic, woody flavour.
Mushroom duxelles is a classic French recipe, a slow-cooked blend of mushrooms, shallots, herbs and butter, cooked down into a paste. The essential ingredients are mushrooms, butter, salt and pepper, but the addition of thyme is what makes this dish.
To make a thyme and mushroom duxelles, you will need:
- 8 ounces of mushrooms, finely chopped in a food processor
- 1/4 cup of finely chopped shallots
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh thyme, chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Dry vermouth
First, heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Scrape the mushrooms into the pan and cook until they release their liquid. Continue cooking until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms start to brown, stirring frequently. This should take around 5 minutes.
Next, stir in the butter and, once melted, add the dry vermouth. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the vermouth evaporates. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
You can make this dish ahead of time and freeze it for later use. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many ways, such as:
- A spread on crostini or toast
- A filling for omelettes, ravioli or beef Wellington
- A flavour boost for mashed potatoes or mushroom pasta
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Thyme and mushroom side dishes
Thyme and mushroom is a classic combination that works well as a side dish. Here are some ideas for thyme and mushroom side dishes:
Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms with Thyme
This is a quick and easy side dish that can be made in about 15 minutes. To make this dish, heat butter and mushrooms in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for a few minutes, then season with salt. Add in the garlic and remaining butter, followed by thyme and soy sauce for the last minute of cooking. The mushrooms will be juicy and rich, with a beautiful caramelization. You can also add other aromatics and fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or parsley to enhance the flavour.
Seared Mushrooms with Garlic and Thyme
For this recipe, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke. Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer and cook without disturbing them until the bottom side is golden brown, which should take about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, toss the mushrooms, and continue cooking until they are golden brown all over, reducing the heat as needed to avoid scorching. Add butter, thyme sprigs, and garlic to the skillet, tilting it so the butter pools at the bottom edge. Spoon the foaming butter over the mushrooms until it smells nutty, then remove the mushrooms from the skillet with a slotted spoon.
Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic and Thyme
This recipe involves coating the mushrooms in a buttery garlic and thyme sauce and then baking them in the oven. The unique porous nature of mushroom cell walls prevents them from becoming overcooked and mealy, so they retain their supple and tender texture. However, be careful not to overcook the garlic and butter, as they can burn and char.
Marinated Mushrooms with Thyme
For a unique twist, try marinating mushrooms in a blend of champagne vinegar, olive oil, toasted fennel seeds, garlic, and thyme. This combination of flavours makes for a wonderful appetizer when served with ricotta-topped toast, baked Brie, or a cheese board with crusty bread. The cranberries and earthiness of the mushrooms create a well-balanced salad that can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
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Thyme and mushroom vegan options
Thyme and mushroom is a classic combination that works well in many vegan dishes. Here are some delicious thyme and mushroom vegan options to consider:
Mushroom Bourguignon
A vegan twist on the traditional French Beef Bourguignon, this hearty and comforting dish is perfect for a romantic night in. The recipe typically includes cremini mushrooms, onion, garlic, carrot, bell pepper, tomato paste, full-bodied red wine, dried porcini mushroom liquid, and thyme. The mushrooms are cooked with garlic, thyme, and oregano until they release their liquid, then combined with dried mushrooms, cooked mushrooms, and tomato paste. Red wine and mushroom liquid are added, and the mixture is simmered until the liquid reduces. Finally, a mixture of vegan margarine and flour is stirred in to thicken the sauce.
Mushroom Gravy
This simple yet flavorful gravy features cremini and white button mushrooms, fresh thyme, dark soy sauce or coconut aminos, and all-purpose flour. To prepare, sautéed onions and garlic are combined with mushrooms and cooked until browned. Fresh thyme, flour, vegetable broth, mushroom soaking liquid, and soy sauce are added, and the mixture is simmered until thickened. This gravy is a versatile addition to vegan biscuits, roasts, stuffing, or roast potatoes.
Wild Mushroom and Thyme Rolls
These vegan puff pastry rolls by the National Trust are a quick and easy option. Wild mushrooms, onion, garlic, and chickpeas are finely chopped and combined with polenta, fresh thyme, and other herbs before being baked in the oven.
Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms with Thyme
A simple and flavorful side dish, these mushrooms are sautéed in garlic butter and soy sauce, with fresh thyme added towards the end of cooking. To make this dish vegan, simply substitute dairy butter with a vegan alternative.
Mushroom Duxelles Dumplings
A unique vegan option, these dumplings feature a mushroom duxelles filling, with broth infused with toasted ginger, garlic, and dried white flower shiitake mushrooms. The dumplings are then topped with fresh thyme and served with a side of your choice.
Thyme and mushroom is a versatile combination that can be adapted to suit various vegan dishes, from savory mains to flavorful sides and appetizers.
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Thyme and mushroom health benefits
Thyme and mushrooms are a classic combination in many recipes, from seared mushrooms with garlic and thyme to mushroom duxelles with ginger, garlic, and thyme. But beyond their culinary uses, thyme and mushrooms also offer a host of health benefits that have been supported by various studies.
Thyme, or *Thymus vulgaris*, is an herb from the mint family with a distinctive taste that has made it a culinary staple. It contains powerful compounds like thymol and carvacrol, which give it various medicinal qualities. Thyme has been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. It has been used to treat acne, regulate mucus, and fight infections. A 2013 in vitro study also found that thyme oil could be a natural preservative against foodborne bacteria, even at low concentrations. Additionally, thyme has been traditionally used to treat pain and may help alleviate menstrual cramps.
Mushrooms, on the other hand, are a fungus that brings savory flavor to meals without adding significant amounts of fat, calories, or sodium. They are a good source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Research has shown that consuming just 18 grams of mushrooms daily may lower the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Mushrooms are also a source of vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and boosting immune function. Additionally, they contain vitamin B6, which helps with the formation of red blood cells, proteins, and DNA. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, are known for their ability to help keep cholesterol levels low.
The combination of thyme and mushrooms in recipes not only enhances the flavor but also provides a range of health benefits, making them a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, thyme is a fantastic herb to use with mushrooms. Thyme has an aroma that is spicy, calm, and agreeable, blending perfectly with the earthy flavours of mushrooms.
Thyme and mushrooms are a great combination in recipes such as sautéed garlic mushrooms, thyme mushrooms with lemon and garlic, and garlic roasted mushrooms.
Thyme and mushrooms are a versatile combination that can be paired with many other ingredients. Some options include garlic, butter, soy sauce, lemon, eggs, meat, chicken, and various vegetables.
Thyme adds flavour and aroma to mushroom dishes, enhancing their earthy and savoury notes. Thyme is also known for its medicinal properties and can promote overall well-being.
