Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from vegetarian pastas to beefy soups and savory sandwiches. They have a rich, umami flavor that can be enhanced by pairing them with other ingredients. For example, mushrooms go well with garlic, thyme, eggs, wild rice, avocado, lamb, root vegetables, winter squash, and various types of cheese. When cooked properly, by wiping them clean instead of washing them, mushrooms can add a burst of flavor to any dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms with pasta | Creamy pasta, fettuccine with porcini cream sauce, vegetarian pasta |
| Mushrooms with rice | Wild rice, brown rice |
| Mushrooms with meat | Lamb, beef, steak, chicken, ham, bacon, seafood, salmon, pork |
| Mushrooms with cheese | Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella, goat cheese, blue cheese, burrata, ricotta, mascarpone, paneer |
| Mushrooms with vegetables | Root vegetables, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, winter squash, avocado, bell peppers, onions, zucchini, peas, scallions, tomatoes, cabbage, apricot, Brussel sprouts, spinach, sweet potato, kale, broccoli, arugula, asparagus |
| Mushrooms with herbs and spices | Thyme, tarragon, garlic, basil, chives, cinnamon, garam masala, curry powder, cumin, black pepper, rosemary, dill, oregano, mint, bay leaf, Chinese 5 spice, salt |
| Mushrooms with fruits | Apples, walnuts, lemons, limes |
| Mushroom varieties | Button, chanterelles, cremini, shiitake, enoki, oyster, portabello, porcini, morel, lion's mane, maitake |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms and garlic
When it comes to preparing mushrooms with garlic, there are a few popular methods. One common approach is to sauté the mushrooms in butter and oil, creating a golden, crispy texture. Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley are often added to the mix, along with a dash of white wine for a hint of acidity. This combination of flavours enhances the earthiness of the mushrooms and creates a fragrant, savoury dish.
Another technique is to create a garlic butter sauce, in which the mushrooms are slowly simmered, absorbing the garlic flavour. This method results in juicy, tender mushrooms that can be paired with various main courses. The sauce can be enhanced with herbs and spices like thyme, parsley, and red pepper flakes, adding depth and freshness to the dish.
Garlic mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can be served as a side dish or topping for meats, rice, noodles, soups, or eggs. They also work well in sandwiches or wraps and can be added to pasta dishes or rice and dressed greens for a quick, healthy meal.
When selecting mushrooms for this combination, fresh button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms are ideal. Look for firm, smooth specimens, and avoid any that feel slimy or have dark spots. It's best to wipe them clean with a damp cloth instead of rinsing to prevent them from absorbing too much water.
In conclusion, the pairing of mushrooms and garlic creates a flavourful, aromatic dish that can be adapted to suit various cuisines and meal options. With their complementary flavours and textures, this combination is a favourite among chefs and home cooks alike.
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Mushrooms and thyme
Mushrooms are one of the most versatile ingredients, adding a burst of umami to dishes while absorbing any flavours you wish to feature. Thyme is a great herb to pair with mushrooms. You can sauté mushrooms with garlic butter, fresh thyme, and a dash of soy sauce. This easy mushroom dish is beautifully caramelized and full of flavour.
To make this, heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add in the butter and mushrooms. Cook for a few minutes, then season with a little salt. Add the aromatics and flavour: put in the garlic and remaining butter. Turn down the heat and add in the thyme and soy sauce for the last minute of cooking.
You can also heat olive oil in a skillet and add thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Sauté until tender. Take off the heat and drizzle on olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Serve hot.
If you want to make seared mushrooms with garlic and thyme, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until the bottom side is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, toss the mushrooms, and continue to cook, tossing often and reducing heat as needed to avoid scorching, until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add butter, thyme sprigs, and garlic to the skillet. Tip the skillet towards you so the butter pools at the bottom edge. Spoon foaming butter over the mushrooms until the butter smells nutty, about 4 minutes.
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Mushrooms and eggs
Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms
A popular way to combine mushrooms and eggs is to make a scramble. This is a quick and easy dish that can be made with a variety of mushrooms and ingredients. Here are the steps:
- Clean and slice the mushrooms. You can use regular white or brown button mushrooms, or wild mushrooms like porcini, chanterelle, shiitake, or baby bella mushrooms.
- Heat some butter or oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and cook until translucent.
- Add the mushrooms and cook until they are tender and golden brown. Stir regularly to avoid burning.
- Add garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add other ingredients like parsley, thyme or rosemary for extra flavour.
- Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and season with salt and pepper. You can also add milk or cheese to the eggs for a creamier texture.
- Pour the eggs into the pan and scramble them with the mushrooms until they are cooked to your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately while hot or warm. This dish is best enjoyed freshly prepared and should not be reheated.
Mushroom Toast with Fried Egg
For a heartier meal, you can try mushroom toast with a fried egg on top. Here's how to make it:
- Sauté the mushrooms with some butter or oil in a pan. You can use a variety of mushrooms, such as white button mushrooms, portabello, cremini, or shiitake mushrooms.
- Season the mushrooms with salt, pepper, and garlic. You can also add chicken stock and parsley to enhance the flavour.
- Toast some thick slices of bread, such as sourdough or white sandwich bread.
- Fry or cook the eggs separately, ensuring the yolks remain runny.
- Spoon the mushrooms onto the toasted bread and top each serving with a fried egg.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Tips and Variations
- You can add other vegetables to your scrambled eggs, such as spinach, green onions, or bell peppers.
- If you want a more indulgent dish, add some cheese to your scramble, such as gruyere, cheddar, feta, or mozzarella.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken stock in the mushroom toast with vegetable broth.
- If you're short on time, you can use frozen mushrooms for your scramble, but increase the cooking time accordingly.
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Mushrooms and wild rice
Selecting the Right Mushrooms
When it comes to choosing mushrooms, you can opt for wild mushrooms like porcini, morels, chanterelles, or oyster mushrooms. If you don't have access to wild mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms make a great alternative with their nice texture and savoury flavour. Cremini mushrooms are another good option. You can also use dried mushrooms by rehydrating them in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes and then chopping them fine.
Preparing the Mushrooms
Mushrooms are like natural sponges, so when cleaning them, use as little water as possible. A wet paper towel is ideal for wiping them clean. If you need to rinse them, do it quickly and dry them immediately. When cooking, mushrooms will release liquid. Sauté them until they are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. You can then season them with salt and pepper to taste.
Choosing the Right Rice
Wild rice is the star of this combination, offering a unique flavour and texture compared to white or brown rice. It can be used on its own or blended with other types of rice, such as white, brown, or other wild rice varieties. However, when using blends, pay attention to the amount of water needed and cooking times, as they may differ from pure wild rice.
Cooking the Wild Rice
To cook the wild rice, you can use vegetable stock or broth instead of water to add extra flavour. Bring it to a boil and then simmer until the rice is done, which could take around 20 minutes for real wild rice and up to an additional 20 minutes for farmed wild rice. For a chewier texture, some prefer to cook it until it pops open. If using a wild rice blend, follow the package instructions, as different blends have different cooking times.
Putting It All Together
Now, let's bring the mushrooms and wild rice together! You can sauté the mushrooms separately and then mix them into the prepared rice, seasoning with salt and pepper. You can also cook the rice and mushrooms together in a pilaf or a hearty vegetarian main dish. Add herbs like thyme, bay leaves, parsley, and dried or fresh herbs to enhance the flavour. For a nutty flavour, try adding almonds or pecans. You can even include raisins for a touch of sweetness. This combination goes well with chicken, salmon, or a variety of other proteins and vegetables.
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Mushrooms and meat
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of meats. Their meaty-ness and umami flavour make them a great complement to rich meats like beef. Mushrooms are also a natural source of MSG, which enhances their savoury taste.
Beef and mushrooms is a classic combination, often seen with steak and roast beef. Mushrooms can be added to beef dishes in the form of a rich mushroom gravy or sautéed in balsamic vinegar as a side.
Chicken and mushrooms is another popular pairing. Mushrooms can be added to chicken dishes in a variety of ways, such as pan-seared chicken breasts with buttery sliced mushrooms in a creamy sauce or chicken thighs smothered in a light, flavourful gravy. Oyster mushrooms, with their mild flavour and tender, meaty texture, are also a good match for grilled chicken.
Mushrooms also pair well with lamb. They can be added to ground lamb dishes like ragout to add flavour and nutrition.
In addition, mushrooms can be used to enhance the flavour of pork. Sautéed mushrooms can be spooned over pork chops or added to a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mustard for a hearty vegetarian option.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms can be combined with eggs, wild rice, avocado, and peppers for vegetarian-friendly meals.
Mushrooms go well with lamb, beef, chicken, and seafood.
Mushrooms pair well with goat's cheese, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
Mushrooms, especially when sautéed or lightly browned, can elevate pasta dishes.
Mushrooms pair well with thyme, tarragon, garlic, and basil.
