Sarah Brown
Dried mushrooms are a versatile ingredient used to enhance the flavour of dishes. They are known for their rich, savoury taste and are often added to soups, stews, sauces, pâtés, and gratins. Before using dried mushrooms, they must be reconstituted by soaking in water, producing both the mushrooms and a flavourful liquid that can be used in cooking. Alternatively, dried mushrooms can be ground into a powder and used as a seasoning, or rehydrated and added to various dishes such as risottos, stir-fries, and scrambled eggs. It is important to note that some mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, contain hallucinogenic substances and are consumed for their psychoactive effects rather than culinary purposes. These mushrooms can have dangerous side effects and may be illegal in certain jurisdictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reconstitution | Dried mushrooms should be soaked in water before use. Room temperature water is best, as it preserves more flavour. However, hot water can be used to speed up the process. |
| Grit | Dried mushrooms are often gritty, and this can ruin a dish. Soaking and rinsing can help to remove grit. |
| Uses | Dried mushrooms can be used in soups, stews, sauces, pâtés, gratins, scrambled eggs, and risottos. They can also be blended into a compound butter or ground into a powder and used as a seasoning. |
| Effects | The effects of dried mushrooms generally begin after 30-45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. Early effects include nausea and yawning, followed by hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and distorted senses of time, place, and reality in higher doses. |
| Risks | Magic mushrooms are illegal in many places and can be extremely dangerous, causing severe side effects, flashbacks, and even death in high doses. |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking in water or wine
Dried mushrooms are a versatile ingredient to have in your pantry. They add a ton of flavour to your dishes and are easy to store. They can be rehydrated in water or wine, depending on the recipe and your preference.
To rehydrate dried mushrooms in water, start by measuring the mushrooms. Most recipes call for dried mushrooms to be measured by weight. Weigh out the required amount of mushrooms and place them in a bowl. Next, cover the mushrooms with water. The amount of water you use will depend on the quantity of mushrooms you are rehydrating. You want to use enough water to fully cover the mushrooms. If your mushrooms are in thicker slices or whole caps, you may need to use hot water to soften them. For thinly sliced mushrooms, room temperature water will work just fine. You can also use a combination of both hot and cold water if you are in a hurry.
Once you have added the water, gently push on the mushrooms to submerge them. You can also place a smaller bowl inside the bowl of mushrooms and water to keep them submerged. If you are using a French press, the plunger will help with this step. Let the mushrooms sit in the water for 20 to 30 minutes, or until they are thoroughly softened. Thicker mushrooms may take a little longer to soften, so you can let them soak for up to 15 minutes more.
After the mushrooms have softened, remove them from the water using your fingers or a spoon. Squeeze them lightly to remove excess water. Taste a mushroom to check for grittiness. If they feel gritty, rinse them under running water to remove any residual dirt or grit. You can then use the mushrooms in your recipe as required.
If you are using wine in your recipe, you can soak the mushrooms in the wine instead of water. This will infuse the mushrooms with the flavour of the wine and add depth to your dish. Simply follow the same steps as above, substituting wine for water.
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Rehydrating and pickling
Dried mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can add a lot of flavours to your dish. They are also easy to store and can last a long time. However, they need to be rehydrated before use.
Rehydrating dried mushrooms
The first step is to inspect the dried mushrooms for dirt and wash them if necessary. You can place the mushrooms in a strainer and run them under the faucet for several seconds, tossing them to ensure all the grit is gone. If you are in a hurry, you can use warm or hot water to soak your mushrooms as they will soften more quickly. However, more of their flavour will be extracted into the soaking water. The soaking water can be strained and used in recipes as well.
Once the mushrooms are soaked, strained, and chopped, they can be added to your dish. You can also blitz the dried mushrooms into a powder and use it to add an extra punch of flavour to your soups and sauces. It is important to note that rehydrating is not cooking, and mushrooms should be thoroughly cooked after rehydrating.
Pickling mushrooms
Pickling is a great way to preserve fresh mushrooms while adding some extra flavour. The basic brine for pickling is made with vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. You can also add extra flavour with thyme, garlic, rosemary, peppers, and spices.
To make pickled mushrooms, start by cleaning and washing the mushrooms and placing them in a pot. Add enough water to cover the mushrooms and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Bring this to a boil and cook for 15 minutes. Drain the mushrooms and set them aside. In a separate pot, bring water, salt, sugar, bay leaves, and peppercorns to a boil. Once the sugar and salt have dissolved, add 6 tablespoons of vinegar, then remove from heat. Clean and dice garlic into small pieces and place them at the bottom of the jars. Fill the jars with cooked mushrooms and pour the marinade over them. Cover and store them in the refrigerator for up to two months.
Pickled mushrooms go well with a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and meat dishes. They can also be enjoyed plain with a drizzle of olive oil and some fresh herbs.
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Blending into a compound butter
Dried mushrooms can be blended into a compound butter to create a richly flavoured and versatile product. This can be used to cook with, drizzled over steamed vegetables, or even to baste meat.
To make a compound butter, you can use any variety of dried mushroom, such as porcinis, chanterelles, morels, black trumpets, shiitake, cremini, or plain button mushrooms. First, reconstitute the mushrooms by microwaving them in water and allowing them to steep. Then, create a puree of the cooked mushrooms and blend this into softened butter. You can add other ingredients to taste, such as garlic, shallots, thyme, and salt and pepper.
Once you have blended the mushrooms and butter, you can spread the mixture onto parchment paper and roll it into a log shape. Twist the ends of the parchment to seal, then wrap in plastic and freeze until needed.
The compound butter can be used in a variety of ways, such as tossed into pasta, melted over steaks, vegetables, or soups, or simply spread on toast.
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Reconstituting and cooking with fresh mushrooms
Dried mushrooms are a great ingredient to have in your pantry. They are a perfect replacement for fresh mushrooms in most recipes and pack in a more concentrated flavour. The best way to reconstitute dried mushrooms is to soak them in water. The soaking liquid can also be used to add an intense mushroom flavour to dishes.
To reconstitute dried mushrooms, weigh out the required amount and place them in a bowl. Cover the mushrooms with water and gently push on them to submerge them. Thinly sliced mushrooms will rehydrate in 20 to 30 minutes, while thicker mushrooms may take longer. If you are in a hurry, you can use hot water to speed up the process. However, room temperature water is recommended as it extracts less flavour from the mushrooms.
After soaking, remove the mushrooms from the liquid and give them a good rinse to remove any residual grit. Taste a mushroom, and if it still feels gritty, rinse them again. You can then cook the mushrooms by sautéing them in butter or olive oil, or simmering them in a liquid. The soaking liquid can also be used in soups, stews, sauces, pâtés, and gratins.
It is important to note that rehydrated mushrooms are not the same as fresh mushrooms. They are more similar to sautéed mushrooms in terms of texture and flavour. Therefore, you cannot substitute dried mushrooms in a recipe that calls for fresh mushrooms without cooking them. Additionally, all mushrooms worth rehydrating contain a substance called chitin, which our stomachs cannot digest. So, make sure to thoroughly cook the mushrooms after rehydrating them.
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Taking as a drug
The use of hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", as a drug involves consuming them in various forms to induce psychedelic experiences. Here are some important instructions and considerations for taking dried mushrooms as a drug:
Forms of Consumption:
- Eating: Dried mushrooms can be eaten directly, but they have a strong earthy taste and rubber-like texture, making them less palatable. Some people prefer to mix them with food, such as an omelette, to mask the bitter flavour.
- Brewing Tea: Brewing dried mushrooms into a tea is a common method. The mushrooms are steeped in hot water, and the tea can be drunk.
- Lemon Tek: This method involves soaking the mushrooms in lemon juice, which may accelerate the effects by increasing the rate of absorption in the body.
- Powder: Grinding the mushrooms into a fine powder before consumption can also potentially speed up the effects by increasing the surface area for absorption.
Dosage and Timing:
- The dosage of dried mushrooms plays a crucial role in the intensity and duration of the drug's effects. The amount consumed will determine whether the experience is mild or leads to hallucinations.
- The effects of dried mushrooms typically begin within 30 to 45 minutes of consumption and can last up to 6 hours.
- It is recommended to consume dried mushrooms on an empty stomach as food in the digestive system may delay the onset of effects.
- The strength of magic mushrooms varies depending on their freshness, the season, and their growing conditions. It is challenging to predict their potency accurately.
Safety and Legal Considerations:
- Magic mushrooms are considered illegal drugs in many places due to their hallucinogenic properties. Possession and consumption may carry legal consequences, including prison sentences and fines.
- Mixing drugs is always risky, and some mixtures are more dangerous than others.
- Driving under the influence of magic mushrooms is illegal and dangerous, similar to drink-driving. It impairs judgement and alters the sense of reality.
- Consuming a large amount of mushrooms can have severe consequences, including death. Poisonous mushrooms, such as fly agaric, can be deadly.
- Flashbacks may occur after taking magic mushrooms, where individuals relive parts of their drug trip unexpectedly, even when no longer high.
- Long-term mental health issues, such as psychosis, may develop as a result of consuming too high a dose of magic mushrooms.
It is important to approach the use of dried mushrooms as a drug with caution and to be aware of the potential risks and legal implications associated with their consumption.
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