Emma Wilson
Chanterelle mushrooms are a delicious treat, with a nutty, earthy, peppery flavour and a chewy texture. They are highly sought after by chefs and home cooks alike, and prized for their delicate flavour. They are also nutritious, being high in fibre and containing vitamins B and D, as well as some trace minerals. While frying is a popular way to cook chanterelles, they can also be cooked in the microwave. This is a quick and easy way to cook them, and it's healthy too, as no oil or butter is required.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best way to cook chanterelle mushrooms | Frying |
| Chanterelle mushroom colour | Golden, buttery yellow to darker orange with a creamy white interior |
| Chanterelle mushroom texture | Melty |
| Chanterelle mushroom aroma | Delicate |
| Chanterelle mushroom flavour | Peppery, nutty, earthy, lightly fruity |
| Chanterelle mushroom season | August to December |
| Chanterelle mushroom storage | Refrigerate in a paper bag, cardboard box or brown paper bag |
| Chanterelle mushroom preparation | Clean with a toothbrush, damp paper towel or cloth |
| Chanterelle mushroom cooking time | 5-10 minutes |
| Chanterelle mushroom cooking method | Sauté or fry in butter |
| Chanterelle mushroom serving suggestions | Side dish, pasta, garnish, steak, chicken, omelette |
| Chanterelle mushroom health benefits | High in fibre, vitamins B and D, and trace minerals |
| Chanterelle mushroom price | Pricey |
| Microwaving mushrooms | Place in a microwave-safe bowl, cover and cook on high for 2-3 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Microwaving chanterelles: preparation and cooking time
Chanterelle mushrooms are a delicious treat, with a delicate flavour and aroma, and a melty texture. They are highly sought after by chefs and home cooks alike. They are also highly nutritious, being high in fibre and containing vitamins B and D, as well as some trace minerals.
When it comes to preparing your chanterelles, you should first clean them. You can do this by gently brushing off any dirt with a damp paper towel or using a toothbrush to get rid of any dirt and grime. If you are going to eat them raw, you can give them a quick rinse and scrub with as little water as possible.
Chanterelles are best stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator, with a paper towel to soak up any excess moisture. They should be stored loosely, with some air circulation.
Now, onto the cooking! While microwaving is a quick and easy way to cook mushrooms, it is not necessarily the best method for chanterelles. This is because microwaving will not enhance the flavour of the mushrooms, but rather concentrate it, and you will not be caramelising any juices. Chanterelles are best fried, as this brings out their delicate flavour. However, if you are short on time, or simply want to try something different, then microwaving is an option.
To microwave your chanterelles, place your thickly sliced mushrooms in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring once. If they are still not tender enough, cook in 30-second bursts until done. You can add flavour by smearing the mushrooms with garlic butter, coating them in olive oil and thyme, or using a few drops of soy sauce.
Happy cooking!
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How to clean chanterelles before microwaving
Chanterelle mushrooms are a unique and treasured find for any cook, with their bright golden colour, funnel-shaped caps, subtle fruity aroma, and meaty texture. However, they often come with pine needles, dirt, and hidden critters from the forest floor, which need to be thoroughly removed before cooking.
Firstly, check your chanterelles carefully for tiny bug holes at the stem end. If there are no bug holes, you can proceed with cleaning. If you do see tell-tale pinpricks, add salt to the washing water: one tablespoon per four cups of water. Swoosh to dissolve the salt, then add the mushrooms. Soak the mushrooms for 20 minutes. Drain and repeat.
If your chanterelles have no bug holes, you can simply soak them in a large bowl of water, swishing them around with your hands, and letting the dirt come to the surface. Pour the water out and repeat the process. If needed, transfer them to a colander and run fresh water through to ensure they are thoroughly clean.
Alternatively, you can use a soft brush to clean your chanterelles, patting them dry gently with a cotton dish towel or kitchen paper afterward. If you are cleaning a large number of mushrooms, a salad spinner can be used to wring the excess water out, although this may damage some of the mushrooms.
It is important to remember that mushrooms are like sponges and soak up a lot of water. Extra moisture can prevent proper browning and give them a rubbery texture, so it is important to ensure they are dried well.
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Best ways to serve microwaved chanterelles
Microwaving is a quick and easy way to cook chanterelle mushrooms while preserving their nutrients. Here are some of the best ways to serve microwaved chanterelles:
Rice and Pasta Dishes
Microwaved chanterelles can be folded into rice and pasta dishes. Their concentrated flavour can enhance the taste of the dish.
Pizzas and Flatbreads
Add some extra flavour to your pizzas and flatbreads by topping them with microwaved chanterelles. Their concentrated mushroom taste will complement the other flavours.
Salads
Toss microwaved chanterelles over your favourite salad for a nutritious boost. Their firm texture will provide a satisfying bite, and their concentrated flavour will add depth to your salad.
Avocado Toast
Microwaved chanterelles can be the perfect addition to avocado toast, providing a savoury, earthy flavour that complements the creaminess of the avocado.
Sandwiches and Quesadillas
For a quick and tasty lunch, add microwaved chanterelles to your sandwiches or quesadillas. Their concentrated flavour will enhance the overall taste experience.
Seasoning and Sauces
Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to add extra flavour to your microwaved chanterelles. Try soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, steak seasoning, or a marsala sauce for a unique twist.
While microwaving is a convenient and healthy way to cook chanterelles, some people prefer the traditional method of pan-frying or sautéing. Chanterelles have a delicate, buttery, and nutty flavour that can be enhanced by cooking them in butter or olive oil, along with garlic. They can be served as a side dish, with pasta, steak, chicken, or omelets, or even as a garnish.
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Other cooking methods for chanterelles
Chanterelle mushrooms are one of the greatest edible wild mushrooms in the world, with a firm texture and fruity aroma. They are usually cooked whole, but larger mushrooms can be chopped or made into a wild mushroom duxelles.
Sautéing
Add the mushrooms to a dry non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Don't worry about them sticking—just let the mushrooms sit until they start to release their moisture. As they cook, more moisture will escape into the pan. Continue cooking, pushing the mushrooms around the pan with a spatula to ensure even heat exposure. After a few minutes, the moisture will no longer escape. Keep cooking until all the water in the pan evaporates and the mushrooms are again sitting on a dry bottom. Then add butter to the skillet and stir the mushrooms. Sauté for a few minutes, then add sliced garlic. Continue to sauté until the mushrooms are golden brown with slightly crispy edges.
Blanching and Pan-Frying
Blanch the mushrooms in boiling water for no more than five seconds, then quickly dry them in paper towels. Sear them in a cast-iron pan with butter and olive oil over very high heat until they get crispy edges.
Roasting
Chanterelles can be gently roasted, either whole or chopped, and added to various dishes.
Steaming
Chanterelles can be steamed, marinated, and added to dishes requiring a great mushroom.
Pickling
Chanterelles can be pickled and used in dishes like wild mushroom conserves.
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Health benefits of microwaving chanterelles
Chanterelle mushrooms are packed with health benefits, and microwaving them is a quick and easy way to cook these fungi.
Firstly, chanterelles are low in calories and fat, making them a great addition to a healthy diet. They are also a good source of dietary fibre, which is excellent for digestion and supporting a healthy gut.
Chanterelles are also known for their high vitamin and mineral content. They are rich in vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, stimulating calcium absorption and strengthening bones. Vitamin D also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing inflammation and potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases.
Chanterelles also contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports the immune system and skin health. The B vitamins in chanterelles are vital for a healthy nervous system and energy production. Additionally, these mushrooms provide essential amino acids, which are the building blocks for muscle repair.
Microwaving chanterelles is a healthy cooking method as it doesn't require any additional oil or butter, and it preserves the nutrients in the mushrooms. The concentrated flavour of microwaved chanterelles means you can also add flavour without needing to add extra ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you microwave sliced mushrooms for 2-3 minutes, stirring once. If the mushrooms are still not tender, cook in 30-second bursts until they are done.
Chanterelle mushrooms are best cooked in a frying pan. Fry them in a hot pan with no or very little fat until they release their moisture. Then, add butter and sliced garlic. Continue to sauté until they are golden brown and the edges are slightly crisp.
Clean chanterelle mushrooms using a toothbrush to get the dirt and grime off. You can also rinse and scrub them with as little water as possible.
Store chanterelle mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator. Place a paper towel in the bag to soak up any excess moisture and change it out as needed.
You can add microwaved chanterelle mushrooms to rice and pasta dishes, pizzas and flatbreads, salads, avocado toast, quesadillas, and hot sandwiches.
