John Miller
Steaming button mushrooms is a great way to cook them if you need a break from sautéing with butter and garlic. It is a light alternative to sautéing and shows off their texture. It is also a good way to par-cook them for later as it is essentially steam pasteurization. To steam button mushrooms, you can use a steamer basket or a pot with a lid. You can steam them with water, but in French cuisine, steaming is often done with white wine and fresh or dried herbs. You should steam the mushrooms for about 5-15 minutes, and you'll know they're done when they're wilted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Wipe with a soft brush or damp paper towel. For dirtier mushrooms, rinse in a colander and dry with a dishtowel. |
| Cutting | Slice about 1/4" thick. |
| Aromatics | Onion, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. |
| Cooking Method | Line a pot with a steamer basket and add 2 inches of water. Put the lid on and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. |
| Alternative Cooking Method | Use a skillet with 2-4 tablespoons of water. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, then add butter and olive oil. |
| Alternative Cooking Liquid | White wine instead of water. |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning button mushrooms
Firstly, inspect the mushrooms for any visible dirt or debris. Use a soft-bristled mushroom brush or a damp paper towel to gently wipe away any dirt or particles from the surface of the mushrooms. If the mushrooms are only slightly dirty, this step may be sufficient.
If your mushrooms are very dirty or you have a large quantity to clean, you can try the "shower method". Place the mushrooms in a colander and give them a quick rinse under running water, shaking the colander gently to ensure all sides of the mushrooms are cleaned. It is important not to soak the mushrooms, as they can absorb too much water. After the quick rinse, immediately transfer the mushrooms to a dishtowel and gently rub them dry.
Once your mushrooms are clean and dry, you can trim the stems if needed. For button mushrooms, you can trim the stems to about 1/4 inch or simply leave them intact, depending on your preference. If you are using wild mushrooms, make sure to wash and dry them thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
After cleaning and trimming, your button mushrooms are now ready for slicing or steaming whole. If you plan to slice them, cut the mushrooms into even slices of about 1/4 inch thickness. This will ensure even cooking when you steam or sauté them.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean and prepare button mushrooms for steaming or any other cooking method you choose. Remember always to handle mushrooms with care to avoid bruising and to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned before cooking or eating.
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Preparing aromatics
Start by peeling and slicing or chopping the garlic. If using onions, peel and slice or chop them into small pieces. You can also use shallots, which are a type of onion with a milder flavour. Slice or chop the shallots similarly to the onions.
If using fresh herbs, wash and dry them thoroughly. Remove the leaves from the stems and chop them finely. You can use a variety of herbs to suit your taste preferences. Parsley, rosemary, and thyme are all excellent choices that will add a burst of flavour to your dish.
Once you have prepared your aromatics, you can add them to the skillet or pot along with the mushrooms during the steaming process. This will allow the flavours of the aromatics to infuse with the mushrooms, creating a delicious and fragrant dish.
You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour of your dish. For example, butter and olive oil can be added to the mushrooms during cooking for a richer flavour. Additionally, consider using white wine instead of water for steaming, which is a common practice in French cuisine.
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Slicing button mushrooms
Once they are clean, you can start slicing. For steaming, it is recommended to slice the mushrooms about 1/4" thick. A useful technique is to cut off a slice from the mushroom, creating a flat spot, and then flip the mushroom over onto that spot so that you have a stable base for slicing. This helps to prevent any accidents or slipping while you continue cutting.
If your mushrooms are small, you can leave them whole, but if they are larger, slicing them in half or into bite-sized pieces is ideal. You can trim any stems to create a nicer presentation. It is not necessary to remove the stems completely, as they are edible and provide additional texture.
When slicing button mushrooms, it is also a good idea to prepare some aromatics like onions, garlic, and herbs to enhance the flavour of your dish. You can use fresh or dried herbs, depending on your preference and availability. By slicing the mushrooms to an appropriate thickness and preparing additional ingredients, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious steamed mushroom dish.
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Steaming button mushrooms
Next, you can choose to steam the mushrooms with or without water. If you choose to use water, line a pot with a steamer basket and add about 2 inches of water. If you don't want to use water, you can steam the mushrooms with white wine and fresh or dried herbs. Place the mushrooms in the steamer basket, put the lid on the pot, and turn the heat to high. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to low and cook for around 15 minutes. Keep the mushrooms covered during cooking.
You can also steam button mushrooms in a skillet. Slice the mushrooms about 1/4" thick and add 2-4 tablespoons of water to the skillet. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, and then add butter and olive oil and toss to coat. Move the mushrooms to the outer edges of the skillet and add onion or shallot to the center, cooking for a few minutes before stirring everything together.
Button mushrooms are mild in taste and widely available, making them a popular choice for steaming. Steaming is a light alternative to sauteing and is a good way to lock in moisture and create deep flavor.
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Serving steamed button mushrooms
Steamed button mushrooms make a great, simple side dish. They can be served as an appetizer, with a Japanese-inspired ponzu sauce for dipping. You can also serve them with melted butter or oil, or with a sauce on the side.
To prepare the mushrooms for steaming, wipe them with a soft, damp mushroom brush or a damp paper towel. If they are very dirty, rinse them in a colander and dry them with a dishtowel. Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces, about 1/4" thick. You can also steam the mushrooms whole if they are small.
To steam the mushrooms, you can use a steamer basket, a rice cooker, or an electric steamer. If using a steamer basket, add about 2 inches of water to a pot, place the basket in the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Then, add the mushrooms to the basket, cover, and steam for 15 minutes. If using a rice cooker or electric steamer, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Once the mushrooms are steamed, you can serve them immediately or allow them to cool and store them for later. Steamed button mushrooms can be a tasty and healthy addition to your meal.
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Frequently asked questions
First, clean the mushrooms with a soft brush or damp paper towel. Slice the mushrooms about 1/4-inch thick. Line a pot with a steamer basket and add about 2 inches of water. Put the mushrooms in the steamer, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.
Steam button mushrooms for about 15 minutes.
Water is the most common liquid used for steaming mushrooms, but you can also use white wine with fresh or dried herbs for extra flavour.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low for steaming.
Yes, you can steam any type of mushroom. Simply adjust the steaming time depending on the size of the mushrooms. Smaller mushrooms can be cooked whole, while larger mushrooms should be cut into bite-sized pieces.
