Cooking With Fresh Mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms generally last about 10 days after they are picked if stored properly. Always cook fresh mushrooms. Some varieties (like Morels) are only edible when cooked.
Step 1). Always keep Fresh Mushrooms in a paper bag or perforated cardboard box in the refrigerator for freshness. If the edges are starting to dry a little, dont worry. they rehydrate by themselves during cooking.
Step 2). Gently brush off any dirt that is visible on the mushroom. If it doesn’t come off easily wipe it off gently with a damp paper towel or cotton cloth. Be careful not to bruise the mushroom.
Step 3). Smell the fresh mushroom and enjoy the aroma. Note that it may smell different still when cooked.
Step 4). Follow the chosen recipe.
When cooking with mushrooms , great chefs understand that there are many different flavored and textured mushrooms and that how they are grown affects the flavor.
Mushrooms, all varieties are rich in proteins, free amino acids, flavanoids, polysaccharides and many other compounds that tickle our taste buds. Foraged mushrooms seem to always taste the best. That is because fungi produce many of these compounds in conjunction with beneficial bacteria or through gene expression from contact with symbiotic species in the ecosystem. That is why they taste richer and more complexed than the mushrooms we buy in the grocery store which are grown in sterile environments. Longer shelf life means less nutrients and less flavor.