Shiitake mushrooms have a wonderful bold, smoky flavor. Some restaurants even serve shiitake burgers – where the beef patty is replaced by the mushroom cap.
They’re not as filling as hamburger meat, of course, but they’re very tasty. Below you’ll find tips on picking them and cooking them along with some shiitake mushroom recipes.
What’s great about shiitakes
And these tasty mushrooms are good for you. They have been used medicinally in Asia for thousands of years because they contain antioxidants and compounds that boost the immune system and lower cholesterol.
They used to be very pricey, but in recent years their cost has come down.
Choosing your mushrooms
Good news! Dried shiitakes can actually have more flavor than fresh ones, because the sun-drying process brings out the umami flavor.
“Umami” is a Japanese word that’s best translated as “savoriness”, the flavor that makes meats and cheeses so satisfying. So there’s no need to hunt down fresh shiitakes the day you want to use them.
You can buy them in packages, store them until you’re ready and soak them for about thirty minutes just before you want to cook with them, which makes them potentially more cost-effective than buying fresh ones. Properly stored (see below), they will keep up to a year.
I haven’t seen dried shiitake in any of my local chain grocery stores, but if you have an Asian market nearby, they will likely have them. You can also order dried shiitake online. If you do decide to seek out fresh mushrooms, here are some tips for picking good ones:
- They should be firm and plump.
- They should have no slimy spots or wrinkles (that means they’re getting old).
And it’s that simple. Pick them according to those rules, and they’ll be great!
Storing
Dried shiitakes can be stored in a tightly sealed freezer container and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. They will stay fresh for six months to a year.
Put fresh ones in a loosely closed paper bag, and put the bag in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about a week.
Cleaning/prepping
Mushrooms absorb water. This is fine if you’re cleaning dried shiitakes prior to soaking, but with fresh ones, too much water will make them soggy. Clean them by wiping them with a damp cloth or paper towel – this will get them clean with minimal water.
Shiitake Mushroom Recipes and Serving Suggestions
- Garlicky Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms. Roasted with olive oil and garlic, these shiitakes will have maximum flavor.
- Chicken Dumplings with Shiitake Mushrooms. I love potstickers (or dumplings or wontons). Adding shiitakes into them sounds like a real winner.
- Creamy Leek & Shiitake Mushroon Pasta. A super delicious vegetarian one-dish dinner (although you could easily add just about any meat you like).
- Creamy Mushroom Soup with Shiitake. Most of the creaminess comes from pureed mushrooms.
- Shiitake Mushroom Risotto. You can also check out my post on how to cook risotto.
- Soy Sauce Butter Pasta with Shrimp and Shiitakes. Seasoned with garlic and shallots. And as always, I highly recommend the highly flavorful Eden Foods Shoyu Sauce.
- Baby Bok Choy and Shiitake Stir-Fry. With oyster sauce and ginger root.
- Make a shiitake mushroom sauce, which is very simple and pure so you get the full flavor.
- Great British Cooks even has a roasted shiitake ketchup recipe.
- Substitute them in recipes calling for regular button mushrooms, like marsala sauce.
- Saute them with onions and garlic for a wonderful side dish or appetizer.
- Use cooked shiitakes as a meat substitute in omelets recipes, Asian noodle dishes, and sandwiches. (Side note: they are not a meat replacement in terms of protein and other nutrients, but they are a good flavor replacement.)
- Slice them julienne and use them to add flavor to meats and side dishes that go well with mushroom.