John Miller
Mushroom stock concentrate is a flavourful base for soups, gravies, and other recipes. It is made by simmering mushrooms with other ingredients like garlic, onion, and salt, then reducing the liquid until the desired concentration is achieved. The process of making mushroom stock concentrate at home is relatively simple, and it can also be purchased from companies like Hello Fresh, Better Than Bouillon, and Campbell's.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Mushroom juice, maltodextrin, salt, natural flavor, sugar, yeast extract, xanthan gum |
| Preparation | Crush and peel garlic cloves, sauté mushrooms, simmer with onions and garlic, strain, and reduce until desired concentration is reached |
| Taste | Delicious, savory |
| Use Cases | Cream of mushroom soup, mushroom gravy, silky Sicilian penne |
| Availability | Hello Fresh, Amazon, Better Than Bouillon, Cook's Delight, Campbell's |
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What You'll Learn
How to make mushroom stock concentrate at home
Mushroom stock concentrate is a simple stock made by simmering mushrooms with water for about an hour. It is a great base for soups and stews and can be used in any recipe that calls for stock. Here is a step-by-step guide to making mushroom stock concentrate at home:
Ingredients:
- Fresh and dried shiitake mushrooms
- Cremini mushrooms
- Onion
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Peppercorns
- Tamari
- Kombu (dried seaweed)
- Optional: carrots, celery, herbs
Method:
Firstly, wash and thinly slice the onions. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat, then add the onions, shiitake stems, and cremini mushrooms. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and browned. Next, add the water, onion skins, garlic, ginger, dried mushrooms, tamari, and peppercorns. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and add the kombu. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour. It is important to maintain a gentle simmer and not to overcook the stock, as this can make the vegetables bitter.
Once the stock has finished simmering, strain it into a large container. If desired, you can then simmer the stock further to reduce it to a more concentrated form. Taste the stock as it simmers, and once it has reached your desired mushroom flavour, strain it again to ensure it is smooth.
Storage:
The mushroom stock can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for up to 6 months. Consider freezing the stock in ice cube trays for easy, pre-portioned use.
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Hello Fresh's mushroom stock concentrate
The exact ingredients of Hello Fresh's mushroom stock concentrate are not publicly disclosed, but the company has listed the following components: mushroom juice, maltodextrin, salt, natural flavor, sugar, yeast extract, and xanthan gum. This information was provided by Hello Fresh in response to a customer inquiry about potential substitutes.
Creating a homemade version of mushroom stock concentrate is an option that some people have explored. The process involves simmering and reducing mushrooms, onions, and garlic in a stockpot. Once the desired mushroom flavor is achieved, the solids are strained out, leaving a concentrated mushroom stock. Further reduction can be done to intensify the flavor and consistency. The final product can be stored in ice cube trays for future use.
Some suggested substitutes for Hello Fresh's mushroom stock concentrate include Better Than Bouillon, Cook's Delight Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Stock, and Campbell's Flavor Up! Savory Mushroom and Herb Cooking Concentrate. While these alternatives may not perfectly replicate the original flavor, they can still be used to create tasty dishes.
Overall, Hello Fresh's mushroom stock concentrate is a sought-after ingredient that has inspired customers to experiment with different substitutes and even make their own versions at home.
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Substitutes for mushroom stock concentrate
Mushroom stock concentrate is a flavourful addition to soups and other recipes. It is made by simmering mushrooms, garlic, onion, and other ingredients, reducing the broth, and straining the liquid to create a savoury concentrate. This concentrate can be purchased or made at home and stored in ice cube trays in the freezer for later use.
There are several substitutes for mushroom stock concentrate that can be used in a pinch. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Vegetable Broth
One option is to substitute vegetable broth for mushroom stock concentrate. Vegetable broth is readily available in most grocery stores and can be used as a 1:1 replacement in recipes. It provides a similar savoury flavour profile to mushroom stock concentrate, making it a suitable alternative.
Mushroom Soup
Another substitute is mushroom soup, such as Campbell's Flavor Up! Savory Mushroom and Herb Cooking Concentrate. This product can be found in some stores and online. It provides a similar mushroom flavour and can be used as a base for soups or other dishes.
Better Than Bouillon
Better Than Bouillon is a popular substitute for mushroom stock concentrate, as suggested by some home cooks. It is a paste-like base that can be mixed with water to create a broth. It adds flavour to dishes and is available in various flavours, including mushroom.
Homemade Mushroom Stock
If you have the time and ingredients, making your own mushroom stock concentrate is an option. As mentioned earlier, it involves simmering mushrooms, garlic, and other ingredients, reducing the broth, and straining it to create a concentrate. This allows you to control the ingredients and customise the flavour to your taste.
Other Options
In addition to the substitutes mentioned above, you can also experiment with other types of broth or stock concentrates, such as chicken or beef, depending on the dish you are preparing. Some brands offer packaged vegetable, chicken, or beef broths and stocks that can be convenient alternatives. Additionally, you can explore other mushroom-based products, such as mushroom broth or truffle zest, to enhance the mushroom flavour in your dishes.
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Ingredients of mushroom stock concentrate
Making mushroom stock concentrate at home is a simple process. The first step is to prepare the ingredients, which include a head of garlic, mushrooms, onion, and other seasonings like salt and pepper. Crush, peel, and sauté the garlic, and then cook the mushrooms and onions.
The next step is to taste the broth as it simmers and reduces. Once the desired mushroom flavor is achieved, remove the mushrooms, onion, and garlic using a strainer and a large bowl. The liquid that remains is the mushroom stock, which can be used as is or further reduced to a concentrate.
To create a concentrate, continue simmering the stock until it thickens. To ensure a smooth texture and to remove any debris, strain the concentrate through a fine sieve. The final product can be stored in ice cube trays for future use.
While homemade mushroom stock concentrate is a straightforward process, there are also pre-made options available for purchase. These can be found in the form of packets, like those offered by HelloFresh, or as liquid concentrate in bags, such as the product offered by Foodinno. Additionally, Better Than Bouillon offers a mushroom base made with sautéed mushrooms, which can be used to create a mushroom soup or gravy.
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Recipes using mushroom stock concentrate
Mushroom stock concentrate is a flavourful liquid that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is made by simmering mushrooms, onions, and garlic, and sometimes other ingredients like ginger, dried seaweed, and wine, in water for an extended period. The mushrooms and other ingredients are then removed, and the remaining liquid is reduced until it reaches the desired level of concentration. This concentrate can be frozen in ice cube trays for later use.
Silky Sicilian Penne
This recipe involves making a mushroom broth by thickening mushroom stock with additional mushrooms. This broth is then used as a base for a penne pasta dish.
Vegan Ramen
A mushroom broth can be used as a vegan alternative to regular stock in ramen. The broth is made using fresh and dried mushrooms, onion, garlic, ginger, dried seaweed, and tamari. This combination of ingredients creates a rich, savoury flavour that is well-suited to ramen.
Mushroom Risotto
Mushroom stock can be used to infuse extra mushroom flavour into a risotto. The stock can be made using a combination of fresh and dried mushrooms, with other ingredients like onion, garlic, ginger, and tamari to enhance the flavour.
Soups and Grains
Mushroom stock concentrate can be used as a base for soups, adding a rich, earthy flavour. It can also be used to cook grains, providing a healthy and satisfying alternative to coffee or tea.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom stock concentrate is a flavour base for dishes like mushroom soup and mushroom gravy.
To make mushroom stock concentrate, you will need mushrooms, garlic, onion, and salt/pepper.
First, sauté the mushrooms, garlic, and onion. Then, taste the mixture as it simmers and reduces. Once you have achieved the desired mushroom flavour, remove the vegetables. Continue to simmer and reduce the mixture until the desired concentrate consistency is reached. Finally, strain the mixture through a fine sieve to ensure it is smooth.
You can buy mushroom stock concentrate from Amazon or make it at home.
