Grownups Guide To Properly Preparing Mushrooms For Cooking
Around here we are on “team mushroom.” My husband is a huge mushroom lover and I’m always looking for new mushroom recipes, new varieties of mushrooms to try, and new ways to add mushrooms to my recipes. And, for the most part, preparing mushrooms for cooking is very easy.
Mushrooms are healthy superfood that pack a nutritional punch. They’re loaded with many health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and are a low-calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. According to Web MD, mushrooms may also mitigate the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. And, mushrooms raised with exposure to ultraviolet light are a good source of Vitamin D, an important component in bone and immune health.
Without our fungal friends, things would certainly be less exciting in the kitchen.
So, you’re ready to cook with mushrooms—but how exactly do you prepare them? Do you just dump them in a skillet with butter and call it a day? Read on to learn how to properly prepare your mushrooms for cooking the perfect dish.
Step One: Cleaning Your Mushrooms
It doesn’t matter if you grow your own mushrooms or get them prepackaged—everyone should properly clean their vegetables before use. Without this step, you run the risk of dealing with contaminants in your food, which can make you very sick. Because mushroom gills absorb water, you should ensure they dry thoroughly before use. Shiitake mushrooms and portobellos hold the most water because they have exposed gills. Rub the mushrooms gently against one another with water. Then, immediately place them on a dry cloth to quickly dry them.
Step Two: Cutting Mushrooms
Next, trim the stems, unless you’d like to use the stems in your dish. Then, slice the mushrooms into whatever shape you want. Dicing and quartering are both popular. Quartered mushrooms are great roasted in the oven with some olive oil and salt.
Step Three: Preparing Mushrooms
This is where you can get creative, and how you approach this step depends on your cooking style. There are many ways to prepare mushrooms including eating them raw. If you choose to cook them, you can sauté, bake, grill, broil or stir fry. If you’re cooking them on the stovetop, heat some olive oil or butter in a skillet and cook the mushrooms, uncovered, on medium-high heat for about 10 minutes or until tender. To grill larger mushrooms (portobellos), brush them with olive oil and add them to a hot grill, turning frequently.
A Few of my Favorite Mushroom Recipes
- Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Farmer’s Market Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Whole30 Pork & Mushroom Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Sausage and Mushroom Bolognese
- Asian Green Beans with Mushrooms & Onions
- One Skillet Coq Au Riesling
Properly preparing your mushrooms for cooking is a snap. When you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to making the perfect dish. Enjoy your meal!
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