Michael Davis
Button mushrooms, also known as white mushrooms, are the most common variety of mushrooms found in grocery stores. They are mild in taste and can be used in a variety of dishes, including pizzas, salads, and soups. When preparing button mushrooms, it is important to first remove the stems, as they are woody and not meant for consumption. The mushrooms can then be sliced, quartered, or cubed, depending on the desired use and recipe requirements. To slice button mushrooms, place the mushroom stem side down on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it to your desired thickness. For quartered mushrooms, simply slice the mushroom in half and then rotate it 90 degrees and slice it in half again. Cubed mushrooms are prepared similarly, but after slicing, the mushroom is rotated and sliced into sections before being chopped into cubes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Button mushrooms (also known as white mushrooms) |
| Flavour | Mildest tasting |
| Uses | Salads, pizzas, soups, stews, stir-fries, chilis, sauces, or eaten raw |
| Storage | Vented container lined with a paper towel or a reusable bag with the top partially open |
| Cleaning | Wipe with a paper towel to remove dirt, avoid rinsing with water |
| Cutting | Remove stems, slice in half, then into quarters, or cubes |
| Knife | Sharp chef's knife or paring knife |
| Hand posture | Use knuckles to hold the mushroom, curl fingertips back |
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What You'll Learn
How to quarter button mushrooms
To quarter button mushrooms, start by placing the mushroom stem side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice it in half. Next, rotate the mushroom 90 degrees and slice it in half again. You can also use an egg slicer for quick and even cuts.
When quartering mushrooms, it's important to use proper hand posture to keep your fingers safe. Curl your fingertips back so that your knuckles rest on the mushroom before slicing. This will give you a firm grip and protect your fingers from the blade.
Another way to quarter mushrooms is to first slice them into thick or thin slices, depending on your preference. Then, chop the slices into quarters. This method is useful if you want to create smaller pieces of mushrooms.
Quartered mushrooms are perfect for heartier dishes such as stews or as a side dish. They provide an interesting texture and flavour to the meal.
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How to slice button mushrooms with a knife
To start, you'll want to clean your button mushrooms. Wipe them down with a damp paper towel or brush off any dirt with a mushroom brush. Mushrooms can be dirty, but you want to avoid rinsing them with water as they will absorb the liquid and become soggy when cooked.
Next, prepare your workstation. Take out a clean cutting board and a sharp knife. A sharp utility knife is best, with a length that suits the size of your mushrooms. You could also use a chef's knife or a paring knife.
Now you're ready to slice. Place the mushroom stem side down on the cutting board. Hold the mushroom in place with your non-dominant hand, pressing your knuckles towards the knife to protect your fingers. Slice the mushroom to your desired thickness, continuously edging your knuckle away from the knife as it moves closer. The motion of the blade should be down, then slightly forward as you slice.
If you want to quarter your mushrooms, the process is very similar. Place the mushroom stem side down and slice it in half. Rotate the mushroom 90 degrees, then slice it in half again. You can then chop your quartered mushrooms into smaller pieces if desired.
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How to slice button mushrooms with an egg slicer
Slicing button mushrooms with an egg slicer is a quick and easy way to prepare mushrooms for cooking. However, it is worth noting that this method may not work well with mushrooms that are not very fresh, as they tend to be tougher and can break the wires of the egg slicer.
To start, use a paper towel to wipe any dirt off the mushrooms. You may also want to cut off the stems, as they are slightly tougher than the rest of the mushroom and could break the wires of the egg slicer.
Next, place the mushroom on its side on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice the mushroom in half, but not all the way through. Then, rotate the mushroom so that the stem side is facing down again, and slice it into 1/4-inch thick sections, being careful not to cut all the way through to the other side.
Now you are ready to use the egg slicer. Place the mushroom between the wires of the slicer and press down firmly and quickly to ensure it slices through without squashing the mushroom.
And that's it! You now have perfectly sliced button mushrooms that are ready to be used in your favourite recipes.
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How to clean button mushrooms before slicing
Before slicing button mushrooms, it is important to clean them thoroughly to remove any soil or grime. The best way to clean mushrooms is to wash them in cold running water and then dry them. If you plan to eat the mushrooms raw, avoid rinsing them with water, as this can make them soggy. Instead, use a dry paper towel, a pastry brush, or a mushroom brush to brush away any dirt.
If you are going to cook the mushrooms, it is okay to rinse them. First, place them in a shallow pan filled halfway with clean, cold water. Gently rub the mushrooms with your fingers to remove any stubborn specks of dirt. Next, place the clean mushrooms in a strainer and rinse them under cold running water from the faucet to wash away any remaining gunk. Move the strainer in a circular motion under the stream of water to ensure that all the mushrooms are rinsed.
To get your button mushrooms extra clean, you can try peeling the outer layer of skin from each mushroom with a knife or your fingers. Look for the wrinkly sections of mushroom skin along the curve between the cap and stalk, and start peeling from there. Work in sections, going in a circle as you remove the skin. The skin will probably come off in triangular chunks, and you should continue peeling until the entire surface of the mushroom is white.
After cleaning mushrooms, trim the thin slices from the ends of the stems. Using a sharp, non-serrated knife, you can then cut the mushrooms into halves or quarters, or slice or chop them as needed. If a mushroom stem is tough, trim it. Always remove shiitake mushroom stems before cutting, as they are very tough and not pleasant to eat.
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How to store sliced button mushrooms
Sliced button mushrooms have a tendency to spoil more quickly than whole button mushrooms. To extend their shelf life, it is important to store them properly.
Firstly, it is recommended to store sliced mushrooms in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should be consumed within three days of slicing, or within five days of purchase. If you are unable to use sliced mushrooms within a few days, consider freezing them. However, fresher mushrooms tend to freeze better, so it is recommended to freeze them sooner rather than later. Before freezing, lightly sauté the sliced mushrooms in butter until they are just cooked, or steam them for about three minutes. Then, freeze them for a few hours on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until each slice is frozen solid. Finally, store the frozen mushrooms in an airtight, vacuum-sealed plastic bag to prevent freezer burn.
Additionally, it is important to avoid placing sliced mushrooms near strong-smelling food, as they can absorb those odours. It is also recommended to avoid storing mushrooms in plastic containers or bags without holes, as they can trap moisture and speed up spoilage. Instead, sliced mushrooms can be stored in a brown paper bag, which will absorb excess moisture and keep the mushrooms fresh.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to slice button mushrooms, depending on the recipe. You can quarter them, slice them, or cube them. To quarter them, place the mushroom stem side down on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice it in half. Then, rotate the mushroom 90 degrees and slice it in half again. To slice them, place the mushroom stem side down and hold it in place with your non-dominant hand, pressing your knuckles towards the knife to protect your fingers. Slice the mushroom to your desired thickness. To cube them, place the mushroom on its side and slice it in half, but not all the way through. Then, rotate it so that the stem side is facing down again and slice it into 1/4-inch thick sections. Finally, rotate the mushroom 90 degrees and chop the sections into cubes.
Sliced button mushrooms are perfect for pizza, pasta, salads, soups, and stir-fries. You can also sauté them with other vegetables or eat them raw.
It is important to use your knuckles to hold the mushrooms in place and keep your fingers away from the blade. You can also use an egg slicer for quick and even slices without the risk of cutting yourself.
