Mushrooms are a very popular vegetable that is most often used as an “add-in.” Many recipes call for mushrooms to be added in to add flavor. But unless you are making mushroom soup, the mushroom is rarely the star. That can change when you experiment with different ways to prepare mushrooms as a “solo act.”
First, consider your spices. These are the common herbs and seasonings that go great with mushrooms: Top of Form
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic
- Chives
- Onions
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Cajun seasonings
- Lemon butter
- Five-spice powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Tarragon
- Ginger
- Rosemary
- Curry powder
- Fenugreek seeds
- Turmeric
Here are five ways you can prepare your next batch of mushrooms:
Raw
Before you use mushrooms in any recipe, you want to make sure that they are thoroughly cleaned. A mushroom brush can get the dirt off nicely. Certainly, gilled mushrooms can absorb water if you wash them too much. Once clean, raw mushrooms can be added to salads or used a part of a vegetable crudité. Find a salad dressing that you like and dip away!
Sautéing
Sautéing mushrooms is a very popular option for mushrooms. These can be served straight up as a side dish or as the base for a special sauce. The best elements for sauteing are butter, ghee, or some other cooking oil. Start with heating the cooking fat and then place the mushrooms into. You can sauté the mushrooms uncovered on medium heat. The mushrooms are ready to eat once they become tender. A sprinkle of salt and pepper can help bring out the flavors. Oyster mushrooms and lion’s mane mushrooms are great varieties for sauteing!
Baking
The shiitake mushroom is a terrific baking option. It has a crispy texture infused with an umami flavor that many vegetarians use as a swap out for bacon. To bake a shiitake, you’ll want to remove the stems and coat the mushrooms in olive oil. Then add your favorite seasonings or keep it simple with just paprika, salt, and pepper. Once your oven has been preheated to 350 degrees, put the shiitakes on a baking sheet and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. You want them crisp without burning.
Broiling
Crimini mushrooms are perfect for broiling. Once again, you’ll want to de-stem the mushrooms. Then toss the caps in a bowl with salt, pepper, cooking oil, and even a splash of sherry. Arrange the caps on a single layer on a baking sheet. You’ll only need to broil them for about two and a half minutes so don’t walk away! After that, give them a flip and broil for another minute.
Stuffed
Mushrooms can also be stuffed. That would make them a tasty appetizer or side dish. There are many varieties of stuffed mushrooms that you can put into your cooking rotation. You can stuff them with seasoned bread crumbs. You can also use shredded cheese or even cream cheese. Minced garlic with seasonings also makes for a great stuffed mushroom. When you settle on the stuffing choice, fill the caps and place them on a baking tray into a preheated 350-degree oven. Let them cook for twenty minutes and enjoy!
