How to Cook Fresh Mushrooms
Mushrooms have been eaten by humans for thousands of years all across the globe. Depending on the dish, mushrooms can be prepared fresh, cooked, or dried. Some species of mushrooms contain beneficial compounds that are only bio-available once boiled in a tea or soup. The most important part of eating wild-foraged mushrooms is knowing that you have an edible species. The more often you cook with mushrooms the sooner you will find your preferred method of preparation. Mushrooms come in all different shapes, colors, & sizes which makes it important to be cautious of the infamous edible mushroom look-a-likes. Misidentification is not an issue if get your fresh mushrooms from the grocery store, local farmers market, or grow them yourself. Don't be afraid to look up new ways to incorporate mushrooms into your diet! Learning new recipes can be fun & it's a great way to spend time with family/friends.
Items you will need to cook your mushrooms:
Fresh mushrooms
Large pan or skillet
Oil and/or Butter
Fresh Garlic
Lemon
Salt
Pepper
Thyme
Follow the steps below to learn how to cook mushrooms!
1) It is important to inspect your mushrooms & make sure they free of bugs or dirt before cooking. If you find anything concerning, use a small brush or damp rag to wipe it off. We do not recommend washing your mushrooms before cooking because it adds moisture to the mushroom & causes them to cook unevenly (at least in our experience).
2) When slicing the mushrooms, it is important to cut them into small, even portions. Having the mushrooms cut into similar-sized pieces allows all them to finish cooking at a similar time.
3) Place a large pan/skillet on the stove & place the heat on Medium.
4) Once your pan is up to temperature, add the mushrooms to your pan/skillet until the bottom is covered. We do not recommend adding all the mushrooms on top of each other because it causes them to cook unevenly. It is common for water to come out of the mushrooms once in the hot pan. This water will eventually evaporate & that is when you add your Oil and/or Butter.
5) As the mushrooms cook they will release water & absorb the flavor of the Oil and/or Butter.
6) When one side the mushrooms is golden/brown, flip them over to cook the other side.
7) Once both sides of your mushrooms have been cooked, turn off the heat & add your choice of seasonings to the pan/skillet. We recommend using things like fresh garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper & thyme.
8) After your seasonings have been added it is best to serve immediately or add to another dish.
9) Enjoy your delicious mushrooms!
Thank you very much for reading our How To Cook Fresh Mushrooms guide. Please visit the education tab on our website if you want to learn more. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to contact us at OklahomaFungi@gmail.com or 405-252-0305
