Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including sautéing, roasting, microwaving, and grilling. Microwaving mushrooms is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook them, as it locks in nutrition and their natural juiciness. It is also simple to prepare, requiring only a microwave-safe bowl and no additional oil or butter. The cooking time is typically 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the size and type of mushroom, and can be customised with various seasonings and sauces to enhance their flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Healthiest way to cook mushrooms | Microwaving |
| Flavour | Concentrated, not enhanced |
| Time | 2-3 minutes |
| Power | High |
| Container | Microwave-safe bowl |
| Stirring | Once |
| Additional ingredients | Butter, herbs, seasonings, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic butter, thyme, garlic powder, salt, pepper, curry powder, chicken, beef, bouillon paste, miso, sesame oil, balsamic vinegar, honey |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and power
The cooking time for mushrooms in the microwave depends on the size of the mushrooms and the desired texture. For sliced mushrooms, cook them in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes on high power, stirring once after a minute or so. If you are cooking whole button mushrooms, place them in a single layer, ribbed side up, and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. For larger mushrooms, such as Portobello mushrooms, you may need to chop them into slices before cooking.
If the mushrooms are not tender enough after the initial cooking time, continue cooking in 30-second bursts until they reach the desired doneness. The total cooking time can range from 2 minutes for smaller, sliced mushrooms to 4-5 minutes for larger mushrooms or those that need additional time to tenderize.
It's important to note that microwave ovens can vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust the cooking time as needed based on the power of your microwave and the texture you prefer. Microwaving mushrooms won't enhance their flavour but will concentrate it, resulting in a more intense mushroom taste.
To add flavour to your mushrooms, you can smear them with garlic butter, coat them in olive oil and herbs, or use soy sauce. You can also add liquid to the mushrooms before cooking, such as dry sherry or red wine, to infuse them with flavour.
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Seasoning and flavouring
Microwaving mushrooms is a quick and convenient way to cook them, and you can add flavour by seasoning and flavouring them before or after cooking.
Mushrooms have a mild flavour and are great at absorbing other flavours. You can add lots of flavour by adding butter, herbs, seasonings, and other condiments. You can also coat them in a sauce before cooking.
Some specific seasoning and flavouring suggestions include:
- Olive oil and a sprig of thyme
- Garlic butter
- Soy sauce
- Chicken broth
- Dry sherry or red wine
- Honey balsamic: season with balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper
- Miso sesame: toss with room-temperature butter, miso paste, and sesame oil before or after cooking
- Garlic rosemary: toss with room-temperature butter, garlic powder, and chopped rosemary before or after cooking
- Sour cream and onion sauce: mix with onion dip mix and sour cream and serve with pasta, chicken, or pork
- Chilli crisp, garlic powder, salt, pepper, curry powder, or herbs
- Chicken, beef, or flavoured bouillon paste
- Salt
- Chicken or beef stock
- Flavourful oils such as sesame oil or olive oil
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Preparing and slicing
Once your mushrooms are clean, you can start slicing. The thickness of your slices will depend on your personal preference, but generally, they should be thick enough to retain their shape after cooking. You can slice your mushrooms by hand or use a food processor for quicker, more consistent results.
If you're cooking large mushrooms, such as Portobellos, you may want to chop them into smaller pieces. This is especially important if you're mixing them with other vegetables or making kebabs. However, if you're grilling Portobello mushrooms, you can cook them whole. Simply place them rib-side up in a shallow bowl and cover tightly before microwaving.
After slicing, you can enhance the mild flavor of your mushrooms by adding ingredients such as butter, chicken or beef stock, or flavorful oils like sesame or olive oil. You can also add herbs, seasonings, and other condiments to the dish before microwaving. Additionally, you can pour dry sherry or red wine over the mushrooms for extra flavor.
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Cooking oil and butter
Microwaving white mushrooms with cooking oil and butter is a quick and easy way to cook your favourite fungi. Mushrooms are like little sponges that absorb flavour very well.
To get started, slice the mushrooms and place them in a microwave-safe bowl or container. Add butter, herbs, seasonings, and other condiments to taste. You can also add a few drops of soy sauce or coat them in olive oil with a sprig of thyme. Cover the bowl tightly and cook the mushrooms on high for 2 minutes. Then, remove the cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes, depending on the size of the mushroom, or until tender. If the mushrooms are still not tender, cook in 30-second bursts until done.
You can also try different flavour combinations with butter and cooking oil. For instance, the honey balsamic flavour can be achieved by seasoning the mushrooms with balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. For the miso sesame flavour, toss the mushrooms with room-temperature butter, miso paste, and sesame oil before or after cooking. If you prefer garlic rosemary, toss the mushrooms with room-temperature butter, garlic powder, and chopped rosemary before or after cooking.
It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of mushroom. Additionally, make sure to eat the juices as well to get the maximum amount of nutrients.
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Microwave-safe containers
When microwaving white mushrooms, it is important to use a microwave-safe container. The best options are glass or ceramic containers, as metal containers should not be used in the microwave. Some plastic containers may be labelled as microwave-safe, but there is some debate about whether plastic containers should be used in the microwave at all. If you choose to use plastic containers, only use those labelled as microwave-safe, and avoid allowing plastic wrap to touch your food during heating.
Glass or ceramic dishes marked "heatproof" or "microwave-safe" are generally safe to use in the microwave. You can also use a microwave-safe plate or parchment paper, placed loosely on top of the container. This helps create gentle steam without trapping excessive pressure.
When using a microwave-safe container, it is important to ensure that the container is not airtight. Steam build-up in an airtight container can cause the lid to pop off, or the container to burst or break. Therefore, the lid needs to be vented so that air can pass through.
Additionally, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of mushrooms. For example, button mushrooms should be placed in a shallow bowl, ribbed side up, and cooked for 2-3 minutes. Portobello mushrooms, on the other hand, should be cooked rib-side up for 2 minutes, and then an additional 2-3 minutes with the cover removed.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 2 to 3 minutes to microwave white mushrooms on high. Stir the mushrooms once after a minute or so. If the mushrooms are still not tender, cook in 30-second bursts until they are done.
It is best to use a microwave-safe bowl or container. Make sure the bowl is shallow if you are cooking whole mushrooms. Cover the bowl with a lid or microwave-safe cover.
Wash the mushrooms before cooking. Then, slice the mushrooms thickly and place them in the bowl. You can add flavour by coating them in a sauce, oil, butter, herbs, seasonings, or other condiments.
Microwaving is a quick and easy way to cook white mushrooms. However, you can also sauté, roast, or grill them.
