How to work with Dried Mushrooms?
I was recently given a bag of dried mushrooms and am unsure how to work with them. What's the best way to use them?
Best Answer
Soak them for a while in warm water, and you'll be able to use them, yes.
However It is equally important to know that you should reserve the liquid for its essential mushroomness, and yet also that said reserved liquid should be run through a coffee filter to remove grit.
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Quick Answer about "How to work with Dried Mushrooms?"
Dried mushrooms need to be reconstituted with water before you can use them, and this produces two wonderful things: the mushrooms themselves and their flavorful soaking liquid. Both can be used in soups, stews, sauces, pâtés, and gratins.What can you do with dried mushrooms?
Just a few ideas for cooking with dried mushroomsHow do I rehydrate dried mushrooms?
The most common method to rehydrate dried mushrooms is to pour very hot (sometimes boiling, but usually just as hot as the tap gets) water over them and let them rehydrate. This super hot water can be a culprit for both bitterness and toughness.Do dried mushrooms need to be cooked?
Yes. You will soak the mushrooms as explained below. After that, the mushrooms need to be cooked. You can saut\xe9 them or simmer them in a liquid.Should you Rinse dried mushrooms?
Soak until they soften, then lift them out of the liquid (don't throw it away). Rinse them under cold, running water while feeling for any grit so you can loosen it and rinse it away.How to Rehydrate Dried Mushrooms - Re-Hydrating Reconstitute - Best Mushroom Recipes
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Answer 2
I guess you must be referring to dried Shiitake Mushrooms.
I agree with all the answers above, but I must make some additional steps to it. I also believe we are talking the whole mushroom. If it is sliced mushrooms, you will need to soak them for less time.
Yes, it's best to use cold water and it will take at least couple of hours.
- I would soak them in cold water for about 15 mins
Pour all the water out. Put in fresh water and keep soaking it. I will do this step couple of times. Remember you may save the water to use as flavouring, but you have to clean the mushroom and make sure the bitterness is gone. Also, I must say the imported Chinese mushroom must be handled carefully as there have been reports that they may contain dangerous chemicals.
After a couple of hours, make sure the mushrooms are soft, take them out of water, and drive them thoroughly. You may keep the water if you wish. The mushrooms are good for foods that are steamed or stir-fry.
Hot water
If you are in rush, then you may use hot or warm water. You still have to go through the cleaning process, but the time will be less.
Soup
If you use mushrooms for making soup, you may not need to soak it. I would soak them for quick 10 mins and give them a clean. Throw them straight into water and boil them to make soup. The flavour of the mushrooms will come out nicely.
Answer 3
Perhaps not the 'best' way to use dried mushrooms, but if you powder them up in your spice grinder, they make an excellent thickening agent for soups/sauces. You won't get thickening at the level of cornstarch or arrowroot, but it will thicken things and impart a mushroomy goodness.
Answer 4
For some a few minutes in warm water will reconstitute them.
Answer 5
Depending on the mushrooms, it may take a little longer. You could soak them in warm/hot water and it'll be quicker, but if I have the time I generally soak them in cold water for about an hour. I'm told it retains much more of the flavour when you do that.
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