What could be better than mushrooms for those who are looking to eat healthy and not lose out on taste. For these edible fungi yes, that’s what they are are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and, best of all, very low in calories. Not to mention brimming with flavour. Sounds like a great ingredient? They are. And mankind has known this for a very long time. The ancient Egyptians apparently considered mushrooms to be food for the royals. The French have always enjoyed the fungus and began harvesting them in caves during the seventeenth century.
Mushrooms grown all over the world and each region produces its own unique varieties. Since there are also toxic mushrooms, care has to be exercised while picking or harvesting them. Those of use who get our supplies from a supermarket shelf needn’t be bothered with that over. Here are mushrooms common and exotic which you are likely to find in the markets these days.
Agaricus (White or Button)
These mushrooms are the most common variety which we find in plastic packets supermarkets. Canned ones are also available, but fresh is best. Button mushrooms can be eaten raw in salads or cooked to add flavour to a range of dishes from pasta to pizza topping, soups and bakes.
These mushrooms are the most common variety which we find in plastic packets supermarkets. Canned ones are also available, but fresh is best. Button mushrooms can be eaten raw in salads or cooked to add flavour to a range of dishes from pasta to pizza topping, soups and bakes.
Chanterelles, or Girolle
These trumpet-shaped fungi are highly regarded mushrooms favoured for their gold to yellow colour, and rich flavour.
These trumpet-shaped fungi are highly regarded mushrooms favoured for their gold to yellow colour, and rich flavour.
Crimini, or Italian Brown
These mushrooms are similar to the button variety, yet they are darker in colour, have a richer flavour, and have a more dense texture.
These mushrooms are similar to the button variety, yet they are darker in colour, have a richer flavour, and have a more dense texture.
Enoki, or Enokitake
This fungi takes on a sproutlike appearance with small caps and thin, long, stems. Native to Japan, white in colour, with a light fruity taste, these mushrooms are excellent when served raw in soups and salads.
This fungi takes on a sproutlike appearance with small caps and thin, long, stems. Native to Japan, white in colour, with a light fruity taste, these mushrooms are excellent when served raw in soups and salads.
Morel or Guchchi
These mushrooms are highly priced and highly prized for their intense earthly flavour. They are usually found in the wild, although they are also grown commercially in Kashmir. This conical shaped, honey combed surface fungi is small, with dark brown hues, is suitable for stuffing and is ideal for sauces and stews.
These mushrooms are highly priced and highly prized for their intense earthly flavour. They are usually found in the wild, although they are also grown commercially in Kashmir. This conical shaped, honey combed surface fungi is small, with dark brown hues, is suitable for stuffing and is ideal for sauces and stews.
Oyster, or Pleurotus
These mushrooms grow in clusters, and range in colour from offwhite to shades of brown. Subtly tasting like an oyster, its chewy texture is more suited to cooked dishes.
These mushrooms grow in clusters, and range in colour from offwhite to shades of brown. Subtly tasting like an oyster, its chewy texture is more suited to cooked dishes.
Porcini
Porcini mushrooms are highly prized for their meaty texture and rich flavour. You are most likely to find these Italian mushrooms in dried form. They are expensive, but a little lends a great deal of flavour and they are well worth adding to your mushroom store.
Porcini mushrooms are highly prized for their meaty texture and rich flavour. You are most likely to find these Italian mushrooms in dried form. They are expensive, but a little lends a great deal of flavour and they are well worth adding to your mushroom store.
Portobello
These are large cremini-like mushrooms that are sometimes the size of a regular hamburger! These fungi are circular, flat, and long, with a dense, chewy texture. Portobellos are excellent for grilling or roasting.
These are large cremini-like mushrooms that are sometimes the size of a regular hamburger! These fungi are circular, flat, and long, with a dense, chewy texture. Portobellos are excellent for grilling or roasting.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms were originally cultivated on natural oak logs and only grown in Japan, but are now available domestically. These mushrooms are large, black-brown, and have an earthy rich flavour. This fungi is enjoyed in stir-fries, soups, or even a meat substitute. Dried Shiitakes have more intense flavours and are sometimes preferable to fresh.
Shiitake mushrooms were originally cultivated on natural oak logs and only grown in Japan, but are now available domestically. These mushrooms are large, black-brown, and have an earthy rich flavour. This fungi is enjoyed in stir-fries, soups, or even a meat substitute. Dried Shiitakes have more intense flavours and are sometimes preferable to fresh.
Preparing mushrooms:
Do not wash mushrooms as they will turn slimy. Simple wipe clean using a gentle motion with kitchen towels or paper. If you are using dried mushrooms, soak them in warm water till soft and plump. Use the soaking water, but strain because it could be gritty.
Do not wash mushrooms as they will turn slimy. Simple wipe clean using a gentle motion with kitchen towels or paper. If you are using dried mushrooms, soak them in warm water till soft and plump. Use the soaking water, but strain because it could be gritty.
0 comments:
Post a Comment