Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in anything from pasta to curry, burgers, and even roast dinners. They have an earthy flavour and a meaty texture, and there are countless ways to cook them. One popular way to prepare mushrooms is to stir-fry them with vegetables. This dish can be served as a side or an appetizer and can be adapted to include your favourite vegetables. Mushrooms and vegetables can also be roasted in the oven for a simple, flavourful side dish.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your mushrooms
Mushrooms are versatile vegetables with an earthy flavour and meaty texture. They work well in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to curries and burgers. There are many different types of mushrooms, and each variety has its unique characteristics and uses. Here are some tips for choosing the right mushrooms for your vegetable dish:
Types of Mushrooms
When preparing a mushroom vegetable dish, you can use various types of mushrooms, such as button, cremini, portobello, chestnut, shiitake, oyster, or wild mushrooms. Each variety has a distinct flavour and texture that can enhance your dish. For example, button mushrooms are commonly used in stir-fries due to their soft texture, while portobello mushrooms are larger and suitable for grilling or stuffing. If you want to add a mix of mushrooms to your dish, consider combining different varieties, such as cremini, white button, and wild mushrooms, to add depth of flavour and texture.
Freshness and Quality
It is important to choose fresh, high-quality mushrooms for the best results. Look for firm, plump mushrooms with intact caps and even colouring. Avoid mushrooms with visible bruises, discolouration, or slimy spots, as these may indicate spoilage. Fresh mushrooms should have a pleasant earthy aroma and feel slightly moist but not wet. If you're using wild mushrooms, it's crucial to properly identify them to ensure they are safe for consumption.
Quantity and Preparation
Mushrooms typically come in various sizes, and the quantity you need will depend on the recipe and the type of mushroom. As a general rule, it's important not to overcrowd the pan when cooking mushrooms, as they release moisture and can steam instead of fry. If you're using larger mushrooms, slice or quarter them to ensure even cooking. Smaller mushrooms, such as button mushrooms, can be left whole or halved, depending on your preference. Before cooking, trim off any tough stem ends, and consider peeling the mushrooms if they are past their prime.
Complementary Ingredients
When preparing a mushroom vegetable dish, consider pairing your mushrooms with complementary ingredients. Mushrooms go well with a variety of vegetables, such as zucchini, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, onions, and tomatoes. They also pair well with herbs like thyme, parsley, oregano, and rosemary. If you're looking to add some protein, beans, chickpeas, or tofu are excellent options that can enhance the dish's heartiness and nutritional profile.
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Preparing the vegetables
Next, cut your vegetables to the desired size. For stir-fries, it is recommended to cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. For stews, you may want to cut them into slightly smaller pieces so they are easy to eat with a spoon. Mushrooms can be halved, quartered, or sliced, depending on their size and your preference. If the stems are tough, trim them off. It is important not to overcrowd the pan when cooking mushrooms, as they release moisture when they cook, so ensure they have ample space in the pan to brown.
If you are making a stir-fry, heat oil in a frying pan or wok and add the vegetables in stages. Start with onions, frying for 5 minutes on high heat until translucent, then add harder vegetables like carrots, followed by softer vegetables like peppers, and finally the mushrooms. If making a stew, heat oil in a Dutch oven and add the mushrooms first, with salt, stirring occasionally until the moisture evaporates, before adding the other vegetables.
For roasted vegetables, the preparation is even simpler. Toss your chosen vegetables in a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning or a mixture of thyme, basil, oregano, and rosemary. Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 400°F for 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and golden brown.
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Seasoning and flavouring
A simple way to season mushrooms is to sauté them in butter, oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add fresh garlic for an extra kick of aroma and flavour. When preparing mushrooms, it is best to wipe them with a damp paper towel to clean them. Alternatively, you can quickly rinse them under cold water and pat them dry. It is important not to overcrowd the pan when cooking mushrooms, as they will steam instead of searing.
Mushroom powder is a versatile seasoning that can be made at home by blending dried shiitake mushrooms and salt until a fine powder is formed. This powder can be used to season noodle or vegetable soups, stir-fries, dips, and plant-based meats. It can also be used to enhance the flavour of tofu, tempeh, or seitan marinades, as well as cheesy sauces, hummus, bechamel, and pasta sauces. Mushroom powder can even be used to flavour popcorn! When using mushroom powder, you may need to reduce the amount of salt in your recipe, as the powder is slightly salty.
For a more complex seasoning, you can make a mushroom salt blend by dehydrating and pulverising mushrooms and then mixing them with salt. This seasoning can be used on french fries, eggs, roasted vegetables, or any other savoury dish. You can experiment with different types of mushrooms, such as shiitake, Swiss brown, oyster, wood ear, or button mushrooms.
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Cooking methods
Stir-fry
Stir-frying is a quick and easy way to cook mushrooms and vegetables. First, cut the mushrooms and vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces. Heat oil in a frying pan or wok over medium-high heat, then add the vegetables and constantly stir and toss them until they are crisp-tender. You can also add garlic, ginger, and other spices to the pan for extra flavour. Finally, mix in your sauce and serve over rice or noodles.
Roasting
Roasting mushrooms and vegetables is another simple cooking method. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, toss the mushrooms and vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning or herbs of your choice. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the mushrooms are golden brown. Roasted vegetables can be served as a side dish or main course.
Frying
Frying mushrooms is a great way to concentrate their flavour and prevent them from becoming soggy when added to dishes like stews or curries. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil or butter. Add the mushrooms in a single layer, ensuring the pan is not overcrowded, and leave them undisturbed until they start to brown. Stir and continue cooking until golden brown and tender, then season with salt and pepper and herbs like parsley or thyme. Fried mushrooms can be served as a side, topping, garnish, or used in pasta sauces.
Stewing
Mushrooms are a great base for hearty and flavourful stews. Start by heating olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the mushrooms and cook until the moisture evaporates. Meanwhile, prepare your vegetables and spices, such as onions, garlic, parsley, oregano, and thyme. Add these ingredients to the mushrooms and continue cooking until the vegetables are softened. Stews can be served with crusty bread, polenta, or as a sandwich filling.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to prepare and serve mushroom vegetables. Here are some serving suggestions:
As a Side Dish
Mushroom vegetables can be served as a side dish, accompanying a variety of main courses. For example, roasted mushrooms and vegetables can be served with roasted chicken drumsticks, pork loin, or pork chops. They can also be a tasty side to steak, especially when cooked in a pan with no oil, allowing the mushrooms to release their liquid first and then browning nicely.
With Rice or Noodles
Stir-fried mushroom vegetables can be served with rice or noodles. Coconut jasmine rice is a great option to accompany a mushroom and vegetable stir fry.
With Polenta
Sautéed mushrooms are delicious on a bed of creamy polenta.
In a Grain Bowl
Mushrooms can be served in a bowl with farro, roasted chickpeas, and pesto.
On Pizza
Try using mushrooms as a pizza topping, perhaps with caramelised onions, dill pickles, chives, and ketchup.
In a Sandwich
Sautéed mushrooms can be stuffed into a seared tofu banh mi.
With Pasta
Mushrooms pair well with pasta. Try them with lasagna, baked ziti, or tossed through hot pasta with steak or chicken.
With Eggs
Scramble mushrooms with eggs and a little dissolved miso paste with hot water.
With Meat
Mushrooms are a great addition to beef dishes, such as beef and lentil ragu, or chorizo and mushroom toasties.
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Frequently asked questions
You can stir-fry mushrooms with vegetables. Cut the mushrooms and vegetables of your choice into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a frying pan, add onions and sauté for 5 minutes. Then, add tomatoes and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Next, add the vegetables and sauté until they change colour. Finally, add the mushrooms and herbs and stir-fry until cooked.
Mushrooms complement most vegetables. Some popular choices include bell peppers, carrots, baby corn, broccoli, beans, zucchini, cauliflower, tomatoes, and potatoes.
Mushrooms can be fried, roasted, or used as a base for stews and curries. When frying, heat oil or butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms in a single layer and cook until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper and add herbs like parsley or thyme. For roasted mushrooms, toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and roast in the oven until golden brown.
