Shiitake Mushroom
As far as fungi go, Shiitake are famous. These would have to be the most popular and available Japanese mushroom worldwide and you don’t end up with this sort of fame for just being beautiful. They have got this mushroom superstar status three reasons:
- They are extensively and efficiently farmed , making them good value to buy.
- They are often dried and so can be shipped around the world and still be in good shape.
- They are simply good to eat
Shiitake mushrooms are a conventional shaped mushroom with a dark grey/brown cap. They are usually grown to a bit over 50mm diameter (2 inches) and the same height. We can readily and cheaply buy them fresh here, but I often buy them dried anyway. The dried version are handy to have in the cupboard and are easy to reconstitute and use.
Shiitake has a very distinct and some would say mildly unpleasant aroma, but their taste well makes up for this. They are great in soup, stews, stir-fry or even tempura. I have even read (but not tried) a recipe that grinds dried shiitake and adds them to a pesto type pasta sauce.
Experiment with your rice cooker by throwing dried shiitake in with the rice and a little extra water than the rice would usually use. Otherwise simply saute the mushrooms with a little butter and serve them as a side dish or appetizer.
Shiitake have a close, similar looking, but more exclusive cousin called the Matsutake mushroom. These are highly seasonal being mostly available in Autumn. The wild harvested mushrooms are very rare and subsequently very expensive, so if you find that you have spent your weeks wages on a handful of shiitake, take a closer look…you just may be the proud owner of Matsutake instead.
Mushrooms are my kids’ favorite side dish, even soup but I always use the one in can. I’m afraid to use fresh mushrooms cause they might not appreciate the taste.
I tasted once in the party and it’s good, the cook said he used japanese mushrooms.
Canned mushrooms are definitely good, they retain the taste well and are so easy, but I still think fresh mushrooms are the best. They hold together better and the aroma is sensational
Hi.. im a fan of mushrooms as well..im learning how to cook with it. How can i tell if the mushroom is fresh? Thanks.
For most mushrooms the best way to tell if they are fresh is by looking. Most should be dry and not slimy, but still be full and slightly crisp. Old mushrooms tend to either go slimy or mouldy or just shrivel up and get too soft. I hope this helps.
Shiitakes are one of my favorites also, along with Oyster mushrooms. They can also be easily grown in the backyard on hardwood logs or even indoors with a mushroom growing kit.
thanks for the tips Tom and Kenny!