Emily Johnson
Steaming mushrooms is a simple and healthy way to cook them, and can be a nice change of pace from sautéing with butter and garlic. It is also a good way to par-cook them for later use. Mushrooms are very versatile and can be steamed in a variety of ways, including using a rice cooker, electric steamer, or simply by putting them in a pot with water and steaming them on the stove. They can be served warm or cold and can be a great, simple side dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Use a brush or clean kitchen towel to gently clean the mushrooms. Remove the stems and, if you like, carve a star pattern on top of the mushrooms. Use a flat-bladed knife at a 30-degree angle to create nice cutouts. |
| Cooking Method | Line a pot with a steamer basket and add water (about 2 inches). Put the mushrooms in the steamer basket, put the lid on the pot, and turn the heat to high. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Keep the mushrooms covered during the cooking process. |
| Cooking Time | Steam the mushrooms for 2-7 minutes. Be careful not to steam them for too long, as they will lose their shape. |
| Seasoning | Salt, thyme, smoked paprika, garlic, olive oil, and butter are all popular seasonings for steamed mushrooms. |
| Serving | Serve the steamed mushrooms warm with butter or oil and a sauce on the side. They can be served as a simple side dish or as an appetizer. |
| Variations | Wild mushrooms, such as hen of the woods or cauliflower mushrooms, can be used for steaming. In French cuisine, steaming is often done with white wine and fresh or dried herbs instead of water. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Don't wash mushrooms, use a brush or damp towel to clean them
Steaming mushrooms is a great way to prepare a healthy snack or side dish. To steam mushrooms, you'll first want to clean them. While some sources suggest rinsing mushrooms with water, others advise against it, as mushrooms can absorb a lot of water and become soggy. This can affect their texture and flavour.
Instead of washing mushrooms, it is recommended to use a brush or damp towel to clean them gently. You can use a soft-bristle brush or a specific mushroom brush to scrub away any dirt. If using a towel, it should be damp, and you can wipe down the mushrooms to remove any dirt or debris. This method ensures that the mushrooms remain dry and don't become waterlogged.
If your mushrooms are particularly dirty, you may need to pay extra attention to cleaning them. Wild mushrooms, for example, tend to hold a lot of dirt in their crevices and may require a more thorough cleaning method. In such cases, you can try using a damp brush, as suggested by chef Emeril Lagassé. This method involves dipping a small brush in water and then gently brushing the mushroom, using a minimal amount of water.
Once your mushrooms are clean, you can move on to the steaming process. First, remove the stems and consider carving a star pattern on top of the mushrooms for presentation. Heat some olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add crushed or sliced garlic to the oil and infuse for 1-2 minutes without burning it. Then, discard the garlic, and it's time to add the mushrooms to the pan. Season with thyme and smoked paprika, and fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side.
Next, add a cup of water to the pan and cover it with a lid. Let the mushrooms steam for about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to oversteam them, as they may lose their shape. Your steamed mushrooms are now ready to be served warm or enjoyed cold!
Mushrooms Legalized in Oregon: What's Next?
You may want to see also
Don't salt mushrooms before cooking
Steaming mushrooms is a simple and healthy way to cook this ingredient. To steam mushrooms, gently clean them with a brush or kitchen towel, then remove the stems. You can carve a star pattern on top of the mushrooms using a flat-bladed knife at a 30-degree angle. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat, add crushed garlic to the oil and infuse for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Discard the garlic, then add the mushrooms to the pan and season with thyme and smoked paprika. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, then add a cup of water to the pan and cover with a lid. Let the mushrooms steam for 2-3 minutes, being careful not to overcook, as they will lose their shape.
Now, here are the reasons why you shouldn't salt mushrooms before cooking:
Mushrooms are like sponges and have a lot of water in them. Salting them before cooking will cause the water held within their spongy texture to leak out, making them simmer in their liquids. This can result in rubbery and tough mushrooms with little flavour. Instead, you should add salt after they have caramelized, towards the end of cooking. This will help the mushrooms develop the desired taste and texture.
If you are planning to brown your mushrooms, it is best to cook off the water first and then add salt. This is because salting mushrooms before browning them can draw out their moisture and prohibit the browning process.
However, some people argue that salting mushrooms early does not make a significant difference to the final result. They suggest that as mushrooms don't overcook, it is fine to steam them for a while and then brown them.
In conclusion, while it is generally recommended to avoid salting mushrooms before cooking to prevent them from becoming soggy and flavourless, there is room for experimentation, and you may find that salting early does not significantly impact the final dish.
Mushroom Magic: Stacking for Addictive Results
You may want to see also
Steam with wine and herbs instead of water
Steaming mushrooms is a simple process, but adding wine and herbs can elevate the dish to something special. You can use any mushrooms you like, in almost any quantity, and adapt the recipe to your taste.
Firstly, prepare your aromatics. You can use any combination of onion, garlic, and herbs that you like. For herbs, rosemary, thyme, and parsley are all good choices. You can use dried thyme if you don't have fresh herbs, but dried herbs won't rehydrate enough to make a difference if you use them on their own. Heat a skillet on a medium-high heat and add your sliced mushrooms with a couple of tablespoons of water. No oil or butter yet. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the mushrooms release their liquid and become almost dry.
Now you can add your butter and olive oil, and toss the mushrooms to coat. Move the mushrooms to the edge of the skillet. Place your aromatics in the centre, adding more butter or oil if necessary, and cook for a few minutes. Then, stir everything together. Add your wine and simmer for around 2 minutes, or until most of the wine has evaporated. You can use either red or white wine, but not a sweet variety. If you don't want to use wine, you can substitute it for chicken or beef broth.
Finally, add your herbs and salt and pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to your taste. This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated, and it pairs well with steak, chicken, or vegetarian dinners.
Mushroom Laws in New York: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Steam for 5-7 minutes
Steaming mushrooms is a great way to cook them, especially if you want a break from sautéing with butter and garlic. It's also a good way to par-cook them for later use.
To steam mushrooms, first, pull them into bite-sized pieces. If you're using wild mushrooms, make sure to wash and dry them first. Soaking mushrooms is unnecessary. You can also remove the stems and carve a star pattern on top of the mushrooms.
Line a pot with a steamer basket and add about 2 inches of water. You can also use white wine and fresh or dried herbs instead of water for a change of pace. Put the mushrooms in the steamer, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Put the lid on the pot and turn the heat to high. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and steam for 5-7 minutes.
Be careful not to steam them for too long, as they will lose their shape. You can serve them warm or cold, and they can be a great simple side dish.
Lawn Fungicide: Effective Mushroom Killer?
You may want to see also
Fry with garlic and olive oil before steaming
To steam mushrooms, you can fry them with garlic and olive oil before steaming. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel to wipe away any dirt. You can also quickly rinse them under water, but do not leave them too long as their spongy texture can soak up the water, resulting in soggy mushrooms.
Next, heat olive oil in a large, wide skillet or saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Make sure the pan is large enough so that the mushrooms will form a single layer without overcrowding. Overcrowding will cause the mushrooms to steam instead of fry.
Once the pan is hot, add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Quickly toss them to coat with the oil, then spread them into a single layer. It is important not to stir the mushrooms for the first few minutes of cooking, as this will help them develop a nice brown sear.
After 3 to 5 minutes, stir the mushrooms and spread them out again to allow the other side to brown. You can also add chopped garlic at this stage for extra flavour. Continue cooking for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are mostly golden brown on all sides.
Finally, reduce the heat and add butter, fresh thyme, or any other aromatics of your choice. Stir everything together until the butter is melted and combined with the mushrooms.
By following these steps, you will have delicious fried mushrooms with garlic and olive oil, which you can then choose to steam further if desired.
Mushrooms and Horses: A Dangerous Mix?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
First, clean the mushrooms with a brush or kitchen towel, then remove the stems. Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Line a pot with a steamer basket and add water, then place the mushrooms in the steamer. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the mushrooms steam for 15 minutes.
Mushrooms should not be washed before cooking as it can affect their texture and colour. Instead, use a damp paper towel to wipe off any dirt.
No, you do not need to add oil or butter to the pot when steaming mushrooms. Simply add water to the steamer and cook the mushrooms until they are tender.
Depending on the size of the mushrooms, steaming usually takes around 15 minutes. Smaller mushrooms may take less time, while larger mushrooms may take a few minutes longer.
Seasoning steamed mushrooms is a matter of personal preference. Salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and smoked paprika are all popular choices. You can also try dipping steamed mushrooms in melted butter, oil, or sauce for added flavour.
