John Miller
Frying garlic mushrooms is a quick and easy way to create a delicious side dish to accompany a variety of meals. The earthy flavour of mushrooms combines well with the savoury taste of garlic, and frying them in butter can infuse them with even more flavour. This recipe can be adapted to use any kind of mushroom, from chestnut to wild, and can be customised with additional ingredients such as soy sauce, thyme, or Parmesan. Frying garlic mushrooms is a simple process that can be completed in around 10 minutes, making it a convenient and tasty addition to any meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Mushrooms, garlic, butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, wine, thyme, parsley, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar |
| Preparation | Wipe mushrooms with a damp paper towel or quickly rinse and dab dry; use a mushroom brush; heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat; add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper; cook without stirring for 4-5 minutes; add wine and let it evaporate; add garlic and thyme; cook for 3-4 minutes; garnish with parsley |
| Cooking Time | 10 minutes |
| Serving Suggestions | Side dish, topping for steak, burgers, pork tenderloin, rice, soups, grilled cheese sandwich, or spaghetti |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 6 months |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right mushrooms
When it comes to choosing the right mushrooms for frying with garlic, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to select fresh mushrooms, as this will ensure the best flavour and texture. While you can use any variety of mushroom, some types are better suited for frying than others. For example, meaty portobello mushrooms or cremini mushrooms can be a great option, as they have a deeper flavour that can stand out in the dish. White button mushrooms or chestnut mushrooms are also good choices and are more readily available.
If you want to take your dish to the next level, consider using specialty or wild mushrooms such as chanterelles or porcini. These mushrooms have a unique earthy taste that can be a stunning addition to your fried garlic mushrooms. However, they may be more difficult to source. Remember that the type of mushroom you choose will depend on your personal preference and what is available to you.
Another important consideration is the size of the mushrooms. For frying, it is generally best to choose smaller to medium-sized mushrooms, as they will cook more evenly and have a better texture. Larger mushrooms can be used, but they may require longer cooking times and may not absorb flavours as effectively.
Finally, when selecting mushrooms, it is crucial to inspect them for any signs of spoilage. Avoid mushrooms that are slimy or have dirt on them, as these indicate that they are past their prime. Look for firm, plump mushrooms with a smooth, dry surface. You can gently wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel or use a mushroom brush to remove any dirt or debris.
By considering the freshness, variety, size, and quality of the mushrooms, you can choose the right mushrooms for frying with garlic and create a delicious dish with the perfect texture and flavour.
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Preparing the mushrooms
To prepare the mushrooms, start by choosing your preferred type of mushroom. Any kind of fresh mushroom will work, but some varieties have deeper flavours than others. For instance, cremini or white button mushrooms are great, but wild mushrooms like chanterelles and porcini will be even more spectacular. If you're using chestnut mushrooms, brush off any dirt with a clean kitchen cloth, then cut them in half.
Next, heat a pan to medium-high heat. You can use either a skillet or a large sauté pan, ensuring it's large enough for the mushrooms to fit in a single layer. Add butter and olive oil to the pan, as the combination of the two adds great flavour. You can also use canola or vegetable oil, but butter is best for infusing the mushrooms with flavour.
Now it's time to add the mushrooms. Place them cut-side down first and don't stir or crowd the pan, as this will prevent them from caramelising properly. Cook for 3-5 minutes without disturbing, until they are golden brown. If you're adding wine, do so now and cook for a further 2 minutes to reduce it slightly.
Finally, add your aromatics. You can use garlic, thyme, rosemary, or a combination of these. Fresh garlic cloves are best, and you can either mince or press them, depending on whether you want an even coating or a stronger hit of garlic in each bite. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are fully cooked, the butter is melted, and the garlic is fragrant.
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Cooking methods
Frying garlic mushrooms is a quick and easy process. The cooking method you choose will depend on the type of mushroom you are using, the equipment you have available, and your personal preference for texture and flavour. Here are some of the most common methods for frying garlic mushrooms:
Sautéing
Sautéing is a popular method for cooking garlic mushrooms. It involves cooking the mushrooms in a pan with butter, oil, or a combination of both. Here are the steps for sautéing garlic mushrooms:
- Choose your mushroom variety. Any type of fresh mushroom can be used, but thicker varieties like portobellos or chestnut mushrooms are a great option for a meaty texture.
- Clean the mushrooms by wiping them with a damp paper towel or quickly rinsing them and patting them dry.
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add butter, oil, or a combination of both. Olive oil is a good choice due to its high smoke point.
- Add the mushrooms to the pan in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can cause the mushrooms to simmer in their juices instead of caramelizing.
- Let the mushrooms cook without stirring for 3-5 minutes to allow them to brown on one side.
- Add other ingredients like white wine, soy sauce, or thyme, if desired.
- Continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Dry Sautéing
Dry sautéing is a variation of the traditional sauté method. It involves cooking the mushrooms without the addition of oil, butter, or water in the initial stages of cooking. This method helps to intensify the flavour and texture of the mushrooms and prevent sogginess. Here are the steps for dry sautéing garlic mushrooms:
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the mushrooms to the dry pan and cook without stirring for several minutes to allow them to release their liquid.
- Once the mushrooms have released their liquid, you can choose to drain the liquid or reduce it until it evaporates.
- After the liquid is gone, add butter, oil, garlic, and any desired flavourings to the pan.
- Continue sautéing until the mushrooms are golden brown and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Pan-Frying
Pan-frying garlic mushrooms is another option that can result in a crispy texture. This method typically involves the addition of Parmesan cheese and rosemary for extra flavour. Here are the steps for pan-frying garlic mushrooms:
- Brush any dirt off the mushrooms and cut them into thick slices.
- Heat a large skillet with olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the mushrooms to the pan, cut side down, and season with chopped rosemary.
- Fry the mushrooms without stirring for 3-4 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Turn them over and cook for a few minutes longer.
- Add pressed garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the mushrooms and shake the pan to coat them evenly. Fry for another 30 seconds.
Air Frying
If you have an air fryer, you can also cook garlic mushrooms in it. While specific instructions may vary depending on your air fryer model, the basic steps involve cleaning and prepping the mushrooms, seasoning them with desired ingredients like garlic and shallots, and air frying them until they reach your desired level of doneness.
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Adding flavour
The key to a rich flavour when frying garlic mushrooms is to allow them to caramelise and add aromatics, such as garlic, thyme, rosemary, and salt. You can also add fried onions, white wine, or soy sauce.
Garlic
Using fresh garlic cloves will give you the best flavour. Mince the garlic finely to ensure it evenly coats the mushrooms. If you're a garlic lover, try roasting the garlic cloves before adding them to the dish. Roasted garlic adds a sweeter, deeper flavour that elevates the dish.
Butter
Frying the mushrooms in butter will infuse them with more flavour than using canola or vegetable oil. Use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the dish. You can also make your own garlic butter by mixing softened butter with minced garlic and a pinch of salt.
Oil
Use olive oil to sauté the mushrooms as it has a higher smoke point than butter. The butter can be added later to embellish the dish.
Herbs
Fresh parsley balances out the richness of the mushrooms and butter, brightening the dish. Thyme is also a popular addition to garlic mushrooms.
Soy sauce
Soy sauce adds great flavour and helps to caramelise the mushrooms to a deep golden brown.
Cheese
For a richer flavour, add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a touch of crumbled blue cheese just before serving.
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Serving suggestions
Frying garlic mushrooms unlocks a wide range of serving suggestions, from sides to toppings and even as a tasty snack on their own.
Garlic mushrooms are a perfect side dish, pairing well with a juicy chicken breast, pork tenderloin, or steak. They can also accompany a full English breakfast of bacon, sausages, tomatoes, and eggs.
For a more substantial meal, try tossing garlic mushrooms through pasta, spaghetti, or fried rice, or use them as a sandwich or wrap filling. They also make a great topping for burgers, scrambled eggs, or baked potatoes.
If you're feeling creative, use garlic mushrooms as a flavourful addition to casseroles, soups, stews, omelettes, or frittatas. They can even be a tasty snack on their own, straight from the pan.
For an Indian-style twist, serve garlic mushrooms with plain rice, fried rice, or noodles, or use them as a stuffing in a sandwich or wrap.
And if you're looking for a fancy finish, sprinkle grated Parmesan or crumbled blue cheese over your garlic mushrooms just before serving.
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