Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can add depth and complexity to a variety of dishes. They are prized for their ability to enhance the flavour and texture of both simple and elaborate recipes. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a hearty meal, mushrooms can be a great addition. Sautéed mushrooms, for example, make a delicious side dish or topping for burgers, steaks, and baked potatoes. They can also be added to casseroles, soups, stews, and pasta sauces for extra flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, try making crispy fried mushrooms, mushroom risotto, or even a pot of collard greens with mushrooms as a meat alternative. With over 2,000 edible varieties of mushrooms available, the possibilities for culinary creativity are endless!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use as | Toppings, sides, sauces, appetizers, main dishes |
| Pair with | Meat, pasta, grains, eggs, potatoes, salads, dips, barley, rice, soups, stews, casseroles, omelets, burgers, steak, chicken, fish, bacon, ham, seafood, vegetables, cheese |
| Types | Portobello, cremini, white button, enoki, shiitake, oyster, wild |
| Cooking methods | Sautéing, roasting, frying, grilling, baking |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, wine, vinegar, lemon juice and zest, Worcestershire sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Pasta
Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
For the pasta, you can use any type of long or short strand pasta, such as orecchiette, penne, ziti, or macaroni. For the mushrooms, you can use Swiss brown, cremini, white button, maitake, oyster, shiitake, portobello, or baby bella mushrooms. You will also need butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Additionally, you can add Parmesan cheese, rosemary, thyme, white wine, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, walnuts, and red pepper flakes.
Instructions
Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions, boiling it in salted water until it is al dente. Remember to reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
Next, heat some butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they are golden brown, stirring occasionally. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper to taste. If you are using garlic, add it to the skillet once the mushrooms are golden, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Now, it's time to build the sauce. In the same skillet, you can add some shallots, rosemary, and garlic, sautéing them in butter until they are softened. You can also add mustard and white wine to the sauce, allowing the wine to cook down for about 30 seconds.
Finally, combine the pasta and the sauce in the skillet. Toss well to ensure the pasta is coated, adding some of the reserved pasta cooking water to create a silky sauce. Grate some Parmesan cheese on top, and finish with fresh parsley, crushed walnuts, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- When cooking the mushrooms, avoid stirring them right away. Let them cook without stirring for the first 2 minutes to promote browning.
- For a creamier sauce, you can blend half of the mushrooms and crisp the rest.
- To reduce the butter content, add a small knob of butter after the mushrooms are golden, creating a more buttery flavour with less butter.
- For a vegan option, omit the butter and use vegan Parmesan or omit the cheese altogether.
- If you want to add some extra greens, serve the mushroom pasta with a side salad, such as arugula or tomato salad.
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Salads
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be added to salads to create a hearty and healthy dish. Here are some tips and recipes for making delicious mushroom salads:
Warm Mushroom Salad
For a warm mushroom salad, you can sauté or roast mushrooms and then add them to a bed of greens. This salad can be made with a variety of mushrooms, such as button cremini, shiitake, oyster, or beech mushrooms. Toss the warm mushrooms with romaine and Boston lettuce, and add in some shallots and garlic. Sprinkle with grated gouda cheese and serve with a vinaigrette dressing. This salad is best served immediately while the mushrooms are still warm.
Roasted Mushroom Salad with Sherry Dressing
This salad features roasted mushrooms tossed with a warm sherry and garlic dressing, which wilts the greens to a tender texture. To make the dressing, add sherry and garlic directly to the hot baking sheet, scraping up any browned bits to incorporate into the salad. Use a mixture of bitter greens, such as frisée, for a nice textural contrast. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Fresh Mushroom Salad with Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette
This refreshing salad uses raw mushrooms, which can be simply sliced and mixed with a lemon parmesan vinaigrette. The dressing is made with lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs such as parsley. This salad can be served as a side dish or a light lunch, and is best enjoyed fresh.
Marinated Mushroom Salad
For a quick and easy side dish, try marinating sliced mushrooms in a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and fresh parsley. This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bring it to room temperature and add a drizzle of olive oil before serving. It's perfect as an appetizer, BBQ side, or holiday dish.
Mushroom Salad with Herbs
This cold mushroom salad features a yogurt-based dressing with garlic, ginger, lemon juice, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It's best to use a thicker Greek yogurt for a creamier texture. Grate or mince the garlic and ginger to extract their juices and oils, and mix them with the yogurt and other ingredients. Add in sliced mushrooms and mix well. Top with freshly chopped chives and serve immediately.
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Burgers
Mushrooms on Burgers
Mushrooms are a great addition to burgers, adding a savoury, juicy element to the dish. You can use any type of mushroom, from shiitake to portobello, white button mushrooms to baby bella (crimini).
Sautéed Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms are a popular choice for burgers. To make them, heat some olive oil or butter in a pan, add some onions and garlic, and then throw in your sliced mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper, and add some balsamic vinegar and/or Worcestershire sauce to taste. You can also add herbs like parsley and thyme for extra flavour.
Mushroom Swiss Burger
For a vegetarian option, try a Swiss mushroom burger. Take large mushrooms and brush them with garlic butter, then drizzle with olive oil and roast until soft. Top with Swiss cheese and pile into a soft roll. You can also add a fried egg, bacon, or caramelized onions for extra flavour.
Mushroom Beef Burger
For a meaty option, try a mushroom beef burger. Finely chop your mushrooms and sauté them with some olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper. Mix this mixture with ground beef, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and form into patties. Grill your patties and serve on a toasted brioche bun with your favourite toppings.
Top Tips
- If you like your mushrooms with a bit of bite, chop them into larger pieces. For a smoother texture, finely chop them.
- Mushrooms shrink when cooked, so use more than you think you need!
- Sliced mushrooms are easier to pile on top of a burger without them rolling off.
- If you're making a mushroom beef burger, form your patties by adding balls of the mixture to the grill and smashing them into patties with a smaller pan.
- To avoid soggy buns, let your cooked burgers rest for 5 minutes before assembling.
- Try adding some sautéed onions to your mushroom burger for an extra flavour boost.
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Soups
Mushroom soup is a great way to enjoy the earthy, savoury flavours of mushrooms. The key to a good mushroom soup is to build an umami base, which can be achieved by sautéing mushrooms, onions, and garlic in butter. This base is then built upon with the addition of liquids such as broth, wine, and tamari, along with herbs like thyme and parsley.
There are two main ways to make mushroom soup: with or without cream. For a classic cream of mushroom soup, heavy cream is added to the pureed soup base, resulting in a rich and creamy texture. However, some prefer to skip the cream, as it can dilute the mushroom flavour. Instead, they opt for alternative ingredients like crème fraîche or butter to add a touch of richness without overwhelming the mushroom taste.
When it comes to broth, mushroom soup recipes vary. Some prefer vegetable broth, while others use chicken or beef broth for a heartier flavour. The type of mushroom also plays a role in the soup's flavour. Common choices include white button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms, each contributing their unique taste and texture.
To elevate your mushroom soup, consider adding a splash of dry white wine for acidity and tamari or soy sauce for umami. If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with different herbs and spices, such as fresh thyme, parsley, bay leaves, oregano, or even a pinch of ground chilli.
Finally, don't forget to garnish your soup! Sliced mushrooms, thyme leaves, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or cream can make for a beautiful and tasty presentation. Serve your mushroom soup with bread for dunking, and enjoy the comforting flavours of this hearty dish.
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Meat dishes
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of meat dishes. Here are some ideas for adding mushrooms to meat-based meals:
Steak
Sautéed mushrooms are a classic accompaniment to steak. To prepare, cook the mushrooms in a mixture of olive oil and butter, with a dash of wine or Worcestershire sauce for added flavour. Thyme, garlic, and soy sauce are also popular additions. Sautéed mushrooms can be served as a side dish or used as a topping for your steak.
Burgers
Fried or sautéed mushrooms are a tasty addition to burgers. Portobello mushrooms are a particularly good option for a meaty texture. You can also add onions and garlic to your mushroom topping for extra flavour.
Chicken
Mushrooms are a great pairing with chicken. Try adding them to a chicken marsala dish, or chicken cacciatore. Sautéed mushrooms can also be used as a topping or sauce for chicken, or try stuffing the mushrooms themselves.
Pasta
Mushrooms and pasta are a match made in heaven. Try a creamy beef and mushroom stroganoff, or pair your pasta with a mushroom ragu. Oyster mushrooms cooked duxelles-style with tangy Dijon mustard and white beans are another tasty option.
Bacon and Eggs
Mushrooms are a classic breakfast food, often served with bacon and eggs. Try them fried or sautéed, and add garlic and onions for extra flavour.
Other Meats
Mushrooms can also be served with a variety of other meats, including ham, fish, veal, and seafood. Try them as a side dish, or incorporate them into the main course. For example, you could make a mushroom risotto, or use mushrooms as a meat substitute in a collard greens dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be added to a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, casseroles, pasta, omelettes, and salads. They can also be used as a topping for steak, burgers, chicken, or pork.
Mushrooms can be a great addition to vegetarian dishes such as barley, risotto, or polenta. They can also be used as a vegetarian entree served with a side of vegetables.
For a unique twist, try adding mushrooms to a pizza or making mushroom fritters or tempura. You can also stuff mushrooms or use them as a filling, such as in stuffed chicken breasts.
Mushrooms are a delicious addition to roasted chicken or pork tenderloin dishes. They can also be served alongside bacon, eggs, ham, fish, veal, or seafood.
Mushrooms pair well with beef and can be added to dishes such as beef stroganoff or beef Wellington-inspired recipes. They also add richness and depth of flavor to gravy or sauce.
