It's easy to find a variety of mushrooms at your local grocery store.
Photo: Jack GaviganMushrooms are in season right now and are such a great way to add local produce into your weekly menu. From mild flavored white button mushrooms to portobello's earthy flavor, there is a mushroom that can be added to most any style of cooking. The following is a rundown of how to select, prep, and cook these amazing members of the fungus family.
Common Cooking Mushrooms
- Cremini - also known as baby bellos, earthy flavor, can be a substitute for white button mushrooms when you want a deeper flavor
- Oyster - mild flavor, velvety texture, shape is somewhat fan-like, often used in Asian cooking
- Portobello - mature, more flavorful version of cremini mushrooms, largest cooking variety, perfect for grilling, meaty flavor
- Shiitake - meaty, full-bodied flavor, best when cooked, common in Asian cooking
- White button - commonly available, mild flavor, comes fresh, jarred and dried
How to Choose
Choose mushrooms with a firm, unblemished skin. Reject any that are damp, soggy or withered. Mushrooms should have an earthy, but pleasant scent. If you are not going to use the mushrooms immediately, buy whole instead of sliced, to lengthen their freshness in the refrigerator. Mushrooms are a food that should be bought organic, when possible, as the skin is being eaten. Modern mushroom farming often uses synthetic chemicals to increase production.
Choose mushrooms with a firm, unblemished skin. Reject any that are damp, soggy or withered. Mushrooms should have an earthy, but pleasant scent. If you are not going to use the mushrooms immediately, buy whole instead of sliced, to lengthen their freshness in the refrigerator. Mushrooms are a food that should be bought organic, when possible, as the skin is being eaten. Modern mushroom farming often uses synthetic chemicals to increase production.
To Prep Most Mushroom Varieties
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the mushroom clean. Trim the end of the stem off, or break it off completely. Unused stems can be used in making homemade beef or vegetable broth, to enhance the flavor.
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the mushroom clean. Trim the end of the stem off, or break it off completely. Unused stems can be used in making homemade beef or vegetable broth, to enhance the flavor.
Cooking
There are dozens and dozens of ways to cook mushrooms (many are good for eating raw as well). Here are simple instructions for grilling any of the larger varieties of mushrooms: Brush cleaned mushrooms with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Place on heated grill or grill pan and cook until tender (about 12 minutes), turning often. For portobello, grill cap down for 10-15 minutes on a hot grill or grill pan. Turn over for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
There are dozens and dozens of ways to cook mushrooms (many are good for eating raw as well). Here are simple instructions for grilling any of the larger varieties of mushrooms: Brush cleaned mushrooms with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Place on heated grill or grill pan and cook until tender (about 12 minutes), turning often. For portobello, grill cap down for 10-15 minutes on a hot grill or grill pan. Turn over for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
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