Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of dishes. They can be cooked in many ways, such as frying, grilling, sautéing, and baking, and pair well with various foods, including vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Mushrooms are also a good substitute for meat in vegetarian and vegan dishes, providing a savoury, umami flavour. They can be used in dishes such as pasta, pizza, risotto, soups, sandwiches, and salads, or as a side dish. Mushrooms also complement several herbs and spices, and their earthy flavour can be enhanced by pairing them with ingredients like garlic, onions, cheese, eggs, and meat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Asparagus, bell peppers, onions, zucchini, peas, scallions, avocado, tomato, cabbage, potatoes, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, leeks, limes, lemons, shallots, fennel, apricot, Brussel sprouts, spinach, sweet potato, lettuce, kale, radish, broccoli, kohlrabi, arugula |
| Fruits | Coconut, lime, lemon |
| Nuts | Cashews |
| Herbs | Cilantro, parsley, basil, chives, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, dill, tarragon, oregano, aniseed, mint, kefir lime leaves, lemongrass, bay leaf, chervil |
| Spices | Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, chilli, cinnamon, garam masala, Kadai masala, curry powder, ground coriander, cumin, turmeric, clove, black pepper |
| Protein | Cheese, eggs, bacon, ham, fish, chicken, beef, veal, seafood, lamb, cod, oyster, prawn, salmon, pork, prosciutto, crab |
| Alcohol | Red wine, white wine, dry rosé wine, vodka, whisky, sherry, gin, sake |
| Meat alternatives | Mushroom "bacon" |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms and eggs
Mushroom and Spinach Scrambled Eggs
This is a quick, high-protein, and low-carb breakfast option. To prepare this dish, start by whisking together eggs, egg whites, water, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. In a separate skillet, heat some oil over medium heat and add onions, cooking until they are tender and golden. Next, add the mushrooms and cook until tender, followed by spinach, stirring until wilted. Finally, add the egg mixture and cook until the eggs are thickened and no liquid remains. You can also add cheese to this scramble for an extra indulgent touch.
Martha Rose Shulman's Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms
This recipe is a favourite for many and is quite simple to prepare. You can use regular white or brown button mushrooms, or opt for wild mushrooms if you're feeling fancy. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add milk to the egg mixture if you prefer a creamier texture. Heat a skillet and pour in the egg mixture, stirring every few seconds until the eggs are scrambled to your desired consistency.
Mushroom Toast with Fried Egg
This satisfying meal is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Sauté the mushrooms with ingredients like shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the mushrooms release their juices, then turn up the heat and continue cooking until the liquid evaporates, intensifying their flavour. Add chicken stock and parsley, stirring to create a saucy mixture. Fry the eggs separately, ensuring the yolks remain runny. Place the mushroom mixture on toasted bread and top with the fried egg and a sprinkle of parsley for a delicious and hearty bite.
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Tips and Variations
When cooking with mushrooms, it is recommended to avoid washing them before use as they tend to absorb moisture. Instead, wipe them with a clean towel. Additionally, when cooking mushrooms in a pan, it is best to use a heavy pan like cast iron to retain heat effectively. You can also experiment with different types of mushrooms, such as shiitake, baby bella, or wild mushrooms, to find your preferred variety. Lastly, feel free to add your favourite herbs and spices, such as thyme, rosemary, or chilli, to enhance the flavour of your mushroom and egg creations.
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Mushrooms with meat
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes with meat. Here are some ideas for combining mushrooms with meat:
Steak
Broiled top sirloin steak with sautéed maitake and shiitake mushrooms. The rich, velvety texture of the mushrooms adds a luxurious flavour to the steak, making it a perfect dish for a special occasion or a weeknight meal.
Lamb
Mushrooms blend seamlessly into ground lamb dishes such as a lamb ragout. This one-pot recipe is easy to make and full of flavour, creating a perfect family meal.
Bacon
Try a BLT with a twist by adding mushrooms. Sautéed mushrooms and crispy bacon make a delicious combination, especially when served on toasted bread with fresh tomatoes and lettuce.
Chicken
Chicken Marsala is a classic dish that pairs chicken with mushrooms in a rich, buttery sauce. Alternatively, create a savoury chicken dish by grilling chicken and serving it with mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes.
Pork
Mushrooms can be used in a variety of ways with pork. Try pork schnitzel with mushroom gravy, or a pork souvlaki with grilled mushrooms and vegetables.
Beef
Beef and mushroom go well together in a variety of dishes. Beef Wellington is a classic option, or try a beefy soup with mushrooms. For a heartier dish, consider a mushroom and beef stroganoff, or a beef and mushroom pie.
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Mushroom pasta
Firstly, choose your mushrooms. White button, cremini, baby bella, portobello, shiitake, maitake, oyster and meaty portobello mushrooms are all excellent choices. You can use one type, or a mix of mushrooms, to add a delightful range of textures and a complex depth of flavour.
Next, prepare your mushrooms. Wipe them with a clean towel, rather than washing them, to avoid them becoming waterlogged. Slice the mushrooms, or tear larger ones into bite-sized pieces.
Now, it's time to cook. Sautéing is the best method for cooking mushrooms for pasta. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add a good glug of extra-virgin olive oil. You want the mushrooms to fry, not steam, so avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the mushrooms in batches if necessary, until they are tender and well-browned. Season with salt and pepper, and any other spices you like—rosemary, thyme, and garlic are classic choices.
While the mushrooms are cooking, prepare your pasta. Any type of long-strand or short-strand pasta will work—it just depends on your preference. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the packet instructions, minus one minute. Before draining the pasta, reserve at least one cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
To make the sauce, build layers of flavour. In the empty pasta pot, sauté shallots and garlic in butter until softened. Add in your choice of wine and let it cook down for 30 seconds. Then, stir in the mustard, if using, and a little of the pasta water. The starch in the water will emulsify with the butter, creating a silky sauce. Add the pasta, mushrooms, and parmesan, and toss gently. If the pasta dries out, add more pasta water.
Finally, season to taste and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley and more parmesan cheese, and perhaps a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright, fresh finish.
This mushroom pasta is a satisfying meal on its own, but you could also serve it with a side salad, or garlic bread for a real treat.
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Mushroom soup
Ingredients
Mushrooms are the star of the show, of course, and you can use a mix of white button mushrooms and cremini mushrooms for a great texture and flavour. You can also use dried mushrooms, but be sure to rehydrate them first. Other varieties to try include oyster, shiitake, and king oyster mushrooms.
For added depth of flavour, you'll need some onion and garlic, and to sauté these, you'll need some extra-virgin olive oil and butter. You can use just one of these, but the combination adds a rich, fruity flavour.
To add some acidity, dry white wine is a great addition, and you can also include tamari or soy sauce to bring out the umami flavour of the mushrooms. Fresh thyme and parsley will add an earthy, woodsy flavour, and you can use the parsley for garnish.
Method
Start by sautéing the onion and garlic in the butter and oil. Once softened, add the mushrooms in two batches, allowing each batch to cook until softened and lightly browned.
Next, add the wine, broth, tamari or soy sauce, and herbs, and simmer for around 15 minutes. Transfer two-thirds of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth, then stir this back into the pot.
Variations
For a classic cream of mushroom soup, add some heavy cream or crème fraîche for extra richness. You can also add salt and pepper to make the flavours pop.
For a vegetarian option, use vegetable stock, and if you want a spicy kick, add some ground chilli. You can also serve the soup with rice to make it more filling.
For a Hungarian mushroom soup, use sour cream and milk instead of cream, and add paprika for a classic Hungarian flavour. This soup also pairs well with crusty bread and a cold cucumber salad.
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Mushroom and cheese
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are especially delicious when paired with cheese. Here are some tips and recipes for creating mouth-watering mushroom and cheese combinations.
Cheesy Garlic Mushrooms
This recipe is perfect as a tapas appetizer, a side dish, or a topping for your favourite protein. The key to this dish is the cooking technique. First, sauté the mushrooms until they are tender, which releases their water content. Then, raise the heat to medium-high for a couple of minutes, allowing the mushrooms to reabsorb the water and creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture. For this recipe, you can use large button mushrooms, regular white mushrooms, or Portobello mushrooms. Cut the mushrooms into thick slices, about 1/4-inch thick, to ensure they retain their meaty texture.
To prepare the dish, heat extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick pan. Add thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for about a minute. Remove the garlic from the pan and set it aside. Next, add the mushroom slices to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until tender. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook for an additional 2 minutes without mixing, allowing the liquid to evaporate. Turn off the heat, add the sautéed garlic back to the pan, and season with dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper. Quickly mix, then add grated cheese and place a lid on the pan. Let it sit for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Baked Mushrooms with Cheese
This recipe is a delightful entree, side dish, or hot appetizer. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as Havarti, Fontina, Gruyere, Swiss, Jack, or a blend like Trader Joe's "Cuatro Fromaggio," which includes Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina, and mild Provelone. To prepare, clean and slice the mushrooms and choose your desired cheese. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan, then add the mushrooms and sauté until tender. You can also add a unique twist by including a small amount of pure vanilla extract to accentuate the mushrooms' delicate flavour. Once the mushrooms are cooked to your liking, transfer them to a baking dish, top them with your chosen cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted. Serve with crusty bread, sturdy chips, or thick French fries.
Stuffed Mushrooms with Cheese and Parsley
This recipe is a simple and tasty option that can be prepared in less than 20 minutes. Clean and chop the stems off the mushrooms, saving them for another dish. Mix the filling ingredients, which typically include cheese, parsley, and other desired seasonings. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Stuff each mushroom generously with the filling. Bake the mushrooms on a lined tray for 10-15 minutes at 220ºC, or until the cheese is golden-brown. These stuffed mushrooms can be served with a salad, rice, or other grilled vegetables.
Other Mushroom and Cheese Combinations
In addition to the above recipes, there are endless ways to combine mushrooms and cheese. You can create a savoury vegetarian dish by grilling or frying mushrooms and serving them with melted cheese on top, along with a side of vegetables or dishes like bacon, eggs, or seafood. Mushrooms can also be stuffed with cheese and used as a topping for pizza or pasta. For a heartier meal, consider making a mushroom lasagne, quiche, or cream of mushroom soup.
The versatility of mushrooms and cheese knows no bounds, so feel free to experiment with different types of mushrooms, cheeses, and seasonings to find your favourite combinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of savoury dishes, including:
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Salads
- Soups
- Sandwiches
- Risottos
Mushrooms are a great meat substitute and can be used in many vegetarian dishes, such as:
- Vegetarian pastas
- Vegetarian sandwiches
- Vegan Cheesesteaks
- Mushroom Tacos
- Mushroom Lasagna
Mushrooms go well with a variety of meats, including:
- Steak
- Lamb
- Bacon
- Chicken
- Ham
- Fish
Mushrooms have a distinct earthy flavour that pairs well with a variety of ingredients, such as:
- Cheese (Parmesan, Mozzarella, Goat Cheese, etc.)
- Eggs
- Onions
- Garlic
- Herbs (Parsley, Basil, Thyme, etc.)
