Baking Brown Mushrooms: A Tasty, Healthy Treat

how to bake brown mushrooms

There are many ways to cook mushrooms, from roasting to stir-frying, and they are a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. However, to get the best out of them, it is important to prepare them properly. They should be cleaned with a damp paper towel, and the ends sliced off. When cooking, it is important not to overcrowd the pan, as this will cause them to steam instead of brown. Browning mushrooms is a simple process, but it can add depth and flavour to your dishes.

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Roasting brown mushrooms with garlic butter

Ingredients:

  • Brown mushrooms (Swiss brown or cremini mushrooms are recommended for their size and caramelisation potential)
  • Butter (unsalted)
  • Olive oil (extra virgin)
  • Garlic (either garlic confit or 3-6 cloves of fresh garlic, depending on your preference)
  • Thyme (fresh or dried)
  • Lemon (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

  • Preheat your oven to 220°C/450°F (200°F fan).
  • Prepare your mushrooms by removing any hard stems and cutting or tearing them into similarly sized pieces.
  • In a large bowl, toss the mushrooms with butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a rubber spatula to combine the ingredients evenly.
  • Spread the coated mushrooms onto a baking tray, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each mushroom to prevent steaming.
  • Roast the mushrooms for 15-25 minutes at this high temperature. Do not toss or turn the mushrooms during this time to achieve an even browning.
  • Remove the mushrooms from the oven when they are golden brown and tender.
  • Optional step: For a flavour boost, squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle thyme over the roasted mushrooms and toss to combine.

Your roasted brown mushrooms with garlic butter are now ready to be served! Enjoy their juicy, buttery, and garlicky flavours as a side dish or on their own!

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Oven frying brown mushrooms

Oven-Frying Brown Mushrooms

Oven-frying brown mushrooms is a great way to cook them, resulting in a crisp and crunchy texture and a strong, meaty flavor. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect oven-fried brown mushrooms.

Preparation

Firstly, select your mushrooms. You can use any variety of brown mushrooms, such as Swiss brown, cremini, portobello, or any large brown mushrooms. Clean the mushrooms with a slightly damp paper towel to remove any dirt. Avoid submerging them in water or rinsing them, as mushrooms absorb water easily, which can affect their texture and browning ability.

Next, chop the mushrooms into similar-sized pieces. Quarter or halve small mushrooms, and slice larger ones into bite-sized pieces. Remove and discard any hard stems.

Seasoning

Place the chopped mushrooms in a large bowl. Drizzle them with extra-virgin olive oil, ensuring they are well-coated. The olive oil will help the mushrooms brown and develop a flavorful crust. You can also add a small amount of butter to enhance the flavor, but this is optional.

Now, season the mushrooms. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs. You can also add grated cheese or panko for extra crispness and flavor. Toss the mushrooms to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Cooking

Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet or skillet with parchment paper. Spread the seasoned mushrooms on the baking sheet in a single, uncrowded layer. This is important to ensure even browning and crispness.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and fry for 5-7 minutes, until the bottoms of the mushrooms are crisp and browned. Then, flip the mushrooms and fry for an additional 4-6 minutes, until they are browned on the other side.

Serving

Once the mushrooms are browned and crispy on both sides, remove them from the oven. They are now ready to be served! Oven-fried brown mushrooms make a delicious side dish or salad topping. Enjoy their crunchy texture and rich, savory flavor!

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Air-frying brown mushrooms

Preparation

Firstly, ensure your mushrooms are dry. Use a slightly damp paper towel to wipe off any dirt. Avoid rinsing them or submerging them in water, as mushrooms absorb water, which can make them less flavoursome and prevent browning.

Next, cut the mushrooms into evenly-sized pieces. For larger mushrooms, cut them into halves or quarters. This will ensure the mushrooms cook evenly.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the mushrooms in a bowl and toss them with olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter. You can also add seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

Transfer the mushrooms to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the mushrooms for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Check the mushrooms frequently, especially if using a larger air fryer model, as they may cook faster.

Serving

Air-fried mushrooms are best served fresh and can be enjoyed as a snack or a side dish. They can also be used as a topping for dishes like mashed potatoes, pasta, or steak.

There you have it! A simple and delicious way to prepare brown mushrooms using an air fryer. Enjoy the juicy, crispy, and flavourful treat!

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Stovetop frying brown mushrooms with butter and oil

To stovetop fry brown mushrooms with butter and oil, you will need:

  • Brown mushrooms
  • Butter
  • Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic (optional)
  • Lemon (optional)
  • Thyme (optional)

First, clean and quarter the mushrooms. Avoid rinsing the mushrooms as this can inhibit browning. Instead, use a damp towel to brush off any dirt.

Next, heat oil in a large, wide skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Quickly toss to coat the mushrooms with oil, then spread them into a single layer.

Cook for four minutes without stirring. Then, stir once, trying to flip the mushrooms to brown both sides. Cook for another two minutes without stirring.

Finally, reduce the heat and add the butter and garlic. Stir, allowing the butter to melt and the garlic to become fragrant. Cook for three to four minutes and remove from the heat.

You can also finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, lemon juice, and thyme for extra flavour.

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Seasoning and serving roasted brown mushrooms

Seasoning Roasted Brown Mushrooms:

Before roasting, brush any dirt off the mushrooms with a slightly damp paper towel. Avoid submerging them in water or rinsing them, as mushrooms absorb water, which can affect their texture and flavour. Cut off any hard stems and tear or cut the mushrooms into similarly sized pieces.

For seasoning, you can use a variety of herbs and spices. A combination of salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic is a popular choice. However, it is recommended to add salt towards the end of cooking, as salt draws out moisture, and salting too early can cause the mushrooms to release liquid and steam instead of roasting. You can also experiment with other seasonings like parsley, chives, lemon juice and zest, butter, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tamari or soy sauce, and Italian seasoning.

Serving Roasted Brown Mushrooms:

Roasted brown mushrooms are a versatile side dish that can be served in multiple ways. They pair well with proteins such as chicken, steak, pork chops, or salmon. You can also toss them into pasta, salads, frittatas, or omelettes, or scatter them over pizza. For a simple weeknight dinner, serve them with your favourite protein and a green salad. They also make a great addition to holiday feasts, pairing well with sides like sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and creamy mashed potatoes.

Additionally, roasted mushrooms can be enjoyed as a vegetarian or meat-free meal option. They can be served with sides such as mashed potatoes, broccoli, or rice. You can even create a mushroom crostini by spreading the roasted mushrooms on toasted bread.

Remember, roasted mushrooms are best served fresh out of the oven, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or up to 5 days, depending on the recipe.

Frequently asked questions

You can bake brown mushrooms in the oven at 450°F for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also cook them on the stovetop with butter and oil in a cast iron skillet.

Salt, pepper, garlic, lemon, thyme, butter, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar can all be added to enhance the flavour of baked brown mushrooms.

Mushrooms should be cleaned with a damp paper towel. Avoid soaking or rinsing them as they will absorb water and become squeaky instead of flavorful and browned. Cut off the ends and slice them into quarters or cubes, depending on their size.

Cremini, shiitake, portobello, white button, and baby bella mushrooms are all good options for baking.

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