Monday, March 10, 2008 11:48 AM

Should I wash fresh mushrooms?

Mushrooms are grown in dirt. Unless you like dirt-flavored mushrooms, they should always be given a quick rinse under cold water.
 
Some well-meaning cook started the rumor that mushrooms absorb too much water and turn squishy if they’re washed like other veggies because they’re so porous. And, yes, mushrooms are more porous than other vegetables. But unless you soak the mushrooms in water for a while, they’ll only absorb a smidge of water if they’re rinsed quickly.

Use (cook or eat) washed mushrooms immediately after rinsing. Store unwashed mushrooms in a paper bag in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator.

Drunken Mushrooms

2 cups mushrooms (cremini and button), cleaned, stemmed and sliced
¼ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
3 tbsp. olive oil
½ cup dry red wine
2 squirts Worcestershire sauce
salt
pepper

* Melt butter and olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
* Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add mushrooms, salt, and pepper, and sauté until the mushrooms soften.
* Add red wine and Worcestershire sauce and cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Got a ‘shroom recipe on your food blog? Post a link in the comments section.

Posted by Nest Colleen
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Comments

re: Should I wash fresh mushrooms?

I have a great recipe for stuffed Portobellos in my blog. And I agree that mushrooms should be washed before eating.

Posted by Posted by tandd    Monday, March 31, 2008 3:24 AM


re: Should I wash fresh mushrooms?

Be sure to only wash the mushrooms right before you cook them. If you have a whole container but are only using half, only wash half. Leave the other half dirty until you are ready to use them. In my experience, washed mushrooms go bad more quickly than un-washed. I generally wet a towel and wipe the dirt off of each mushroom. It may be psycological, but I think they retain a better texture when not washed in the traditional manner.

Posted by Posted by BDZ    Saturday, October 25, 2008 11:10 AM


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