Let's Talk Mushrooms!

Most recommend eating mushrooms cooked. There are so many ways! If you are reading this at the Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm Market, some of the mushrooms you find here come from another local farm and some are grown right here!

Shiitake Mushrooms

There's a variety of mushrooms to choose from. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Many are used as a substitute for meat while others are used for soups and sauces. In this post, we are going to explore four different types of mushrooms: Cremini, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, and Oyster mushrooms.

Bunch of Creminis

First up, we have Cremini mushrooms, also known as "Baby Bellas". This type of mushroom is more mature than the white button mushroom, but less mature than the portobello. They are rather small, but they are best known for their earthy flavor. Creminis have a meaty texture, making it a great substitute for meat. When picking them out, try to avoid any mushrooms with dark and mushy spots and always look for ones with covered gills- that means that they're fresh! One of my favorite things to make with them is a delicious mushroom gravy. It goes well over biscuits or mashed potatoes!

Shiitakes on a cutting board

Next, we have Shiitake mushrooms. Native to East Asia, these mushrooms are mostly found in Asian cuisine, but can be used in other dishes. They are known to have a smoky flavor and a meaty, yet buttery texture. The caps are usually dense while the stems range from tender to fibrous. Fresh Shiitakes have a firm, smooth, and dry surface. The gills should also be firm. There are so many ways you can use Shiitake mushrooms, including roasting them or even pickling them. A unique and fun way to cook these mushrooms is to turn them into a Shiitake Mushroom Jerky.

Lions Mane Mushroom closeup

Third, we are exploring Lion's Mane. They are mostly used in Asian countries and are typically used in cooking or medical treatments. These mushrooms are known to have a sweet and mild flavor, with a meaty texture. Due to this, they are often used as a great substitute for meat or seafood. Lion's Mane should be a bright white and dry, but not dried out. They should appear plump and almost "fluffy". One really cool way to use Lion's Mane is to make Vegetarian Crab Cakes.

Golden oyster mushrooms

Last but not least, there's Oyster mushrooms. They come in many colors (grey, pink, yellow, blue). The yellow ones here are called Golden Oysters. These are one of the most commonly cultivated mushrooms in the world. One thing they are best known for is the taste. Oyster mushrooms have a subtle seafood flavor to them and are very mild. They take on different textures when cooked certain ways, too. If you are looking for a softer texture, try braising or sautéing them, but if you want a more tender texture, you can grill, fry, or roast them. When picking out your perfect Oyster mushrooms, always look for bright or springy bundles with no dark or wilted spots. A great recipe to try, especially if you are looking for something vegan, is this vegan fried chicken.

Mushrooms are not only fun to cook with, but they bring their own extraordinary flavors to the kitchen. Feel inspired to cook up some delicious mushrooms? Come check out what we have at the Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm Market! Join us every Saturday until mid-September from 9am to 1pm. Hope to see you there!