Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including stir-fries. When preparing mushrooms for a stir-fry, it is important to first clean them by wiping them with a damp paper towel or lightly rinsing them to remove any dirt or debris. The stems of the mushrooms, which tend to be dried out and tough, should be removed entirely or cut off close to the cap. After cleaning and stemming, the mushrooms can be sliced, quartered, or diced into pieces of your desired size. Some cooks recommend slicing the mushrooms into 1/4-inch thick pieces or cubes, while others prefer thicker slices to retain more flavor. Once cut, the mushrooms can be added to a wok or frying pan with oil heated to medium-high and cooked until they are a deep brown, stirring occasionally. Salt, pepper, butter, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest can be added for additional flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Wipe with a damp paper towel to remove dirt and debris. |
| Trimming | Remove dried-out or woody parts from the stems. |
| Cutting | Cut into slices, quarters, or cubes, depending on desired size and texture. |
| Stems | Remove the entire stem or cut off only the very end, depending on the type of mushroom and personal preference. |
| Gills | Scoop out the gills with a spoon and discard (common for portobello mushrooms). |
| Cooking | Fry in oil over medium-high heat until deep brown, adding salt or soy sauce for flavor. |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 1-2 days or freeze for later use. |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning mushrooms: wipe with a damp cloth, or quickly rinse and dry
When preparing mushrooms for a stir fry, it's important to start with clean mushrooms. One way to do this is to wipe each mushroom with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and debris. You can also use a damp paper towel to brush off any dirt. Alternatively, you can quickly rinse the mushrooms under running water and then dry them with a towel or paper towel. Make sure not to soak the mushrooms, as this can make them slimy. Some cooks prefer to clean mushrooms without rinsing, simply wiping them with a damp cloth or paper towel. This is a matter of personal preference, as rinsing and drying mushrooms before cooking does not affect the final result.
Once your mushrooms are clean, you can start chopping them for your stir fry. There are several ways to cut mushrooms, including slicing, quartering, and dicing. Sliced or quartered mushrooms are commonly used in stir-fries, as they cook evenly and provide a nice texture. To slice mushrooms, place the mushroom stem side down on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into slices of your desired thickness. For quartered mushrooms, simply slice the mushroom in half, rotate it 90 degrees, and then slice it in half again.
If you prefer to dice your mushrooms, you can follow a similar process as for slicing but with an additional step. First, slice the mushroom into thick sections without cutting all the way through. Then, rotate the mushroom 90 degrees and chop the sections into cubes. Diced mushrooms are a great option for ground meat alternatives or vegetarian dishes.
After chopping your mushrooms, you can cook them in a wok or frying pan with oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and coat them with oil, stirring occasionally. They will release water as they cook, and you can add salt or soy sauce at this point for flavor. Keep frying until they are a deep brown color. If using them in a stir fry, remove them from the pan and add them back in just before serving to reheat.
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Removing stems: cut off the ends or remove entirely
When preparing mushrooms for a stir fry, you may want to remove the stems. The stems of mushrooms tend to be fully dried out and tough, so you can either cut off the ends or remove them entirely.
To remove the entire stem, hold the mushroom in place with your non-dominant hand, making sure to press your knuckles towards the knife to protect your fingers. Cut the mushroom in half, then rotate it 90 degrees and slice it in half again. You can then slice the mushroom into pieces of your desired size.
If you would prefer to keep some of the stem, you can cut off the very end. First, place the mushroom stem-side down on a cutting board. Then, cut the mushroom in half, rotate it 90 degrees, and slice it in half again. Finally, slice the mushroom into pieces, ensuring they are not too thin as this can cause them to lose their flavor.
After removing or trimming the stems, you may want to scoop out the gills of the mushrooms with a spoon and discard them. This is especially important for portobello mushrooms, as they will become mushy when cooked.
Once you have chopped your mushrooms, it is best to use them right away. However, you can store them in the refrigerator for 1-2 days or freeze them for later use.
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Slicing: cut into slices or quarters of your desired thickness
When slicing mushrooms for a stir fry, it's important to cut them into pieces that are neither too thick nor too thin. This will ensure they cook evenly and have a nice texture when stir-fried. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Mushrooms
Start by cleaning your mushrooms. Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe away any dirt or debris. You can also quickly rinse them under running water and then dry them thoroughly with a towel.
Step 2: Remove the Stems
The stems of most mushrooms tend to be tough and chewy, so it's best to remove them entirely. Use a small paring knife to carefully cut or twist off the stems. If you're using larger mushrooms like portobellos, you may want to scoop out the gills as well, as they can become mushy when cooked.
Step 3: Slice the Mushrooms
Now, you're ready to slice! Place the mushroom stem-side down on a cutting board. Hold the mushroom with your non-dominant hand, ensuring your knuckles are pressed towards the knife to protect your fingers. Start slicing the mushroom, adjusting the thickness as desired. You can make them thinner or thicker, depending on your preference. Just remember that very thin slices may lose their flavour and texture in the stir fry.
Step 4: Adjust the Size as Needed
Continue slicing the mushrooms into pieces of your desired size. You can make them slightly larger or smaller, depending on how big you want the mushroom pieces to be in your stir fry. Just ensure that they are all relatively uniform in size so they cook at the same rate.
Step 5: Storage and Cooking
Freshly cut mushrooms are best used immediately. However, if you need to store them, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Keep in mind that cut mushrooms will go bad more quickly than whole mushrooms. When you're ready to cook, heat some oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their water. Then, season with salt, soy sauce, or other seasonings of your choice. Continue stir-frying until they are a deep brown colour and slightly crispy.
Remember, slicing mushrooms for a stir fry is a versatile process, and you can adjust the thickness and size of the slices to your preference. Enjoy experimenting with different varieties of mushrooms and finding your perfect slice!
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Cubing: chop slices into cubes, rotate, and repeat
To cut mushrooms into cubes, start by placing the mushroom on its side on a cutting board. Slice it in half, but don't cut all the way through. This will create a flat surface for stability. Make sure the mushroom is stemmed, removing any dried-out or woody parts from the stem.
Next, rotate the mushroom so that the stem side is facing down again. Slice the mushroom into 1/4-inch thick sections, being careful not to cut all the way to the edge. This will create long strips or "matchsticks" from the mushroom.
Now, rotate the mushroom 90 degrees. This will allow you to chop the strips into cubes. Cut the strips into small, even pieces, turning them into cubes. Repeat this process with the remaining mushrooms.
Cubing mushrooms is a great technique for creating uniform pieces that will cook evenly. It's perfect for stir-fries, where you want the mushrooms to be a similar size to other ingredients like peppers or onions. Cubed mushrooms also work well as a ground meat alternative in recipes like chorizo, bolognese, or burgers.
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Cooking: fry in oil, salt, and butter, then add to stir fry
To prepare your mushrooms for a stir fry, start by cleaning them with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt and debris. If you want to wash them, do so lightly and dry them with a paper towel. You can also trim off any dried-out or woody parts from the stems, but this is not necessary for all mushrooms. Some varieties, like button mushrooms, will only require you to cut off the very end of the stem.
Now, let's get to chopping. You can slice, quarter, or dice your mushrooms, depending on your preference. Here are the steps for each method:
Slicing
Place the mushroom stem side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the mushroom into slices of your desired thickness. Keep in mind that if the slices are too thin, they may lose their flavor.
Quartering
Again, place the mushroom stem side down. Slice it in half, then rotate the mushroom 90 degrees and slice it in half again. You can also remove the entire stem before slicing, especially if it is dried out and tough.
Dicing
Follow the same initial steps as for quartering, but instead of slicing all the way through, leave the stem side attached. Then, cut the mushroom into 1/4-inch thick sections, rotating it 90 degrees and chopping it into cubes.
Once your mushrooms are chopped, it's time to fry them! Here's a simple method for stir-frying mushrooms in oil, salt, and butter:
- Heat some olive oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. You can also use a mixture of olive oil and butter for a richer flavor.
- Add the chopped mushrooms to the pan. Make sure they are spread out in a single layer to ensure even browning.
- Fry the mushrooms until they release some water. You can add a little more oil if needed to prevent sticking.
- Season the mushrooms with salt and/or soy sauce. Keep frying until they are a deep brown color.
- If you're adding other ingredients to your stir fry, remove the mushrooms from the pan temporarily. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
- Add butter to the pan. You can also add other ingredients like garlic, thyme, lemon zest, or wine for extra flavor.
- Stir everything together until the butter is melted and the mushrooms are coated.
- Serve the mushrooms hot as part of your stir fry or as a side dish.
And there you have it! Delicious, golden-brown stir-fried mushrooms cooked to perfection. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Lightly wash the mushrooms and dry them with a paper towel. You can skip washing if you want, as it makes no difference to the end result.
You can chop mushrooms in four ways: quartered, sliced, cubed, and diced. To quarter mushrooms, place the mushroom stem side down on a cutting board and slice it in half, then rotate it 90 degrees and slice it in half again. To slice, cut the mushroom into thick or thin slices, as desired. For cubes, slice the mushroom in half but not all the way through, then rotate and slice into 1/4-inch sections without cutting through the edges. Chop the sections into cubes. To dice, follow the slicing method and then cut the slices into smaller pieces.
Yes, remove the stems if they are dried out and tough. You can also cut off parts of the stem if they are still soft.
You can use a medley of mushrooms such as shiitake, beech, and enoki mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms add a meaty texture and earthy flavor, while beech and enoki mushrooms add visual appeal and textural interest.
Heat oil in a wok or a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped mushrooms, ensuring there are some flat sides. Keep moving them around to coat with oil and add more if necessary. The mushrooms will release water as they cook, so you can add salt or soy sauce at this point. Keep frying until they are deep brown. Remove them from the pan and add them back in just before serving to reheat.
