Laura Smith
Shiitake mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a rich, earthy flavour and a meaty texture. They are native to East Asia and are used widely in Asian cooking. Shiitake mushrooms can be purchased fresh or dried from most mainstream grocery stores. They are best fried, sautéed, or stir-fried, and are a great addition to a variety of dishes, including stir-fries, salads, and mashed potatoes. They can also be used as a topping for burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas.
How to fix shiitake mushrooms
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Rinse with cold water to remove dirt. Wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel. |
| Storage | Store in a paper bag in the refrigerator, not the produce drawer. |
| Stems | Remove before cooking. Can be saved for vegetable stock or broth. |
| Cooking Method | Sautéing, stir-frying, or pan-frying. |
| Cooking Time | Around 10 minutes. |
| Cooking Temperature | Medium to medium-high heat. |
| Oil | Olive oil, sesame oil, or butter. |
| Seasonings | Soy sauce, lime juice, Sriracha, garlic, parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, salt, and pepper. |
| Pairings | Rice, noodles, bok choy, mashed potatoes, steak, chicken, pork chops, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads, eggs, stir-fries, soups. |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning and preparing shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a strong, earthy flavour and a meaty texture. They are native to East Asia and are used widely in Asian cooking.
Shiitake mushrooms grow on rotting wooden logs and usually don't come packaged with too much dirt. However, it is still important to clean them before cooking. Here are the steps to clean and prepare shiitake mushrooms:
- Rinse the mushrooms: Give the mushrooms a quick rinse under cold water to remove any dirt. Shiitake mushrooms absorb a lot of moisture, so they will absorb some water during this process.
- Dry the mushrooms: Give the mushrooms a little shake or pat them dry with a paper towel. They don't need to be completely dry before cooking.
- Remove the stems: The stems of shiitake mushrooms are very tough and fibrous, so they should be removed before cooking. Cut off the stems and either discard them or save them in a freezer bag to make vegetable stock later.
- Slice the mushrooms: Cut the mushroom caps into strips or bite-sized pieces, depending on your recipe.
- Season the mushrooms (optional): At this point, you can season the mushrooms with ingredients like soy sauce, olive oil, lime juice, Sriracha, or sesame oil.
- Cook the mushrooms: Shiitake mushrooms can be cooked in various ways, such as sautéing, stir-frying, or pan-frying. Choose a cooking method that suits your recipe and preferences.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean and prepare shiitake mushrooms for cooking. Remember to be cautious when consuming wild mushrooms, as proper identification is crucial to avoid potential toxicity.
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How to cook shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a strong, earthy flavour and a meaty texture. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to pizzas, and are a great source of vitamins, fibre and selenium.
Firstly, it is important to prepare the mushrooms. Fresh shiitake mushrooms should be cleaned with a quick rinse to remove any dirt. They are very porous, so it is best not to soak them. Alternatively, use a damp cloth to wipe them down gently. Before cooking, remove the stems from the caps as they are tough and fibrous. The stems can be saved and frozen to make vegetable stock.
Next, the mushrooms can be sliced or kept whole. Shiitake mushrooms cook quickly, so it is best to have all your ingredients ready before you start.
To cook, heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and leave them to cook without stirring for about 3 minutes to create a caramelized edge. Stir and cook for a further 2 minutes.
At this point, you can add other ingredients, such as garlic and white wine, and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with herbs.
Shiitake mushrooms are now ready to serve. They can be enjoyed as a side dish or added to a variety of main courses.
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Storing shiitake mushrooms
If you want to store fresh shiitake mushrooms for longer than a week, you can dehydrate them. Dehydration can be achieved by air-drying or using a dehydrator. Air-drying involves placing the mushrooms in a mesh container with good airflow for about a week until they are completely dry. Dehydrators should be used according to the instructions provided, ensuring the mushrooms are dried until they are light and dry but still slightly flexible. Once dried, shiitake mushrooms should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark place. They can be stored this way for six months to a year.
For sliced mushrooms, it is recommended to use an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. Sliced mushrooms should be used within three days. If you are unable to use sliced or whole mushrooms within a week, consider freezing them. However, it is important to briefly cook the mushrooms before freezing to preserve their quality and flavour. Lightly sauté them in butter until just cooked, or steam them for about five minutes. Once cooked, let them cool, then place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Dried shiitake mushrooms can also be stored in the refrigerator for prolonged shelf life. Before cooking, dried mushrooms must be reconstituted either by soaking them in warm water for five minutes or directly adding them to recipes with sufficient liquid and cooking time. The soaking water can be used in recipes for added flavour.
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Shiitake mushroom recipes
Shiitake mushrooms are versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. They are packed with umami flavour and are a great source of nutrients. Here are some ideas for how to cook and prepare them:
Storage and Preparation
Shiitake mushrooms should be stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator, not the crisper drawer, to prevent moisture buildup. They will stay fresh for about a week. Dried shiitake mushrooms are also a great option as they can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to a year. To use dried shiitake, soak them in warm water for 20-30 minutes before cooking, and don't discard the soaking liquid as it can be used in broths and sauces. Before cooking, gently wipe the mushrooms with a damp cloth and remove the tough stems, which are woody and not suitable for eating but can be used for homemade broth.
Sautéed Shiitake Mushrooms
A simple and flavourful way to cook shiitake mushrooms is by sautéing them. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the sliced mushrooms, and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. For extra flavour, finish with soy sauce, tamari, garlic, miso paste, or scallions.
Sticky Sesame Shiitake Mushrooms
This one-pan recipe involves cooking the mushrooms in sesame oil and then coating them in a sauce with the same oil to enhance the flavour. To make the sauce, mix together the sauce ingredients until fully combined, then pour it over the mushrooms and cook until they are done. This dish can be served with sides like rice, sesame seeds, and cilantro, or with quinoa for extra protein.
Shiitake Bacon
Shiitake bacon is a vegan and healthy option that can be made crispy and smoky. It is perfect for sandwiches, scrambles, or snacking straight from the pan.
Soups and Ramen
Shiitake mushrooms are excellent in soups, such as a classic Japanese miso soup or a simple soup with chicken and Chinese soy sauce-pickled cucumbers. They can also be added to ramen by simmering them in the broth or simply throwing them into boiling water for a quick and easy meal.
Stir-Fries, Pasta, and Rice
Shiitake mushrooms are a great addition to stir-fries, pasta dishes, and rice. They can be sautéed and then added to stir-fries, or simply tossed with pasta and cream for a weeknight dinner. They can also be cooked in sesame oil and paired with rice, as previously mentioned.
Other Ideas
Shiitake mushrooms are very versatile and can be used in a variety of other dishes, such as risotto, mapo tofu, mushroom gravy, galettes, ragù, and pot pies. They can also be used as a topping for herby rice or salads, or as a meat substitute in dishes like pollo a la brasa (Peruvian rotisserie chicken).
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Health benefits of shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms have a rich, earthy, and buttery flavour with a distinctive meaty taste and chewy texture. They are native to the mountain regions of Japan, Korea, and China and have been used in traditional medicine and as a food supplement for centuries.
Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their rich taste and health benefits. They are low in calories and contain many vitamins, minerals, and bioactive plant compounds. Here are some of the health benefits of shiitake mushrooms:
Heart Health
Shiitake mushrooms contain three compounds that help lower cholesterol, including eritadenine, which inhibits an enzyme involved in producing cholesterol. By efficiently removing cholesterol from the blood and aiding in its absorption, shiitake mushrooms help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Immunity Boost
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the few natural food sources of vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and improving immunity. Consuming 5-10 shiitake mushrooms daily for four weeks has been shown to increase immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels, an antibody that protects against infection, and decrease C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a substance that rises in response to inflammation.
Cancer Protection
The beta-glucans found in shiitake mushrooms have been linked to potential cancer-fighting properties. Studies suggest that the bioactive compounds in shiitake may protect against cancer and inflammation, although further research is needed, especially in human studies.
Circulation and Longevity
In Chinese medicine, shiitake mushrooms are believed to boost circulation and longevity.
It is important to note that some people may be sensitive to raw shiitake mushrooms due to the lentinan compound they contain, which can cause an allergic reaction with skin dermatitis. Cooking shiitake mushrooms can help avoid this reaction but may reduce the health benefits associated with lentinan.
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