Oysters mushroom

oyster mushrooms 

Love mushrooms? Here’s the king of them all: the King Oyster Mushroom! This unique variety of fungi is known for its meaty texture and unbelievably savory flavor. In fact, when we tried them for the first time, we couldn’t help but exclaim their deliciousness! We’ve made it our goal to cook through all the types of mushrooms we can get our hands on: and the King Oyster stands out. Saute it up with herbs (see below), or shred it for a vegan pulled pork. Either way: it’s extremely tasty. What are King oyster mushrooms? There are so many different types of mushrooms outside the more common cremini or portobello. These days, you can find many more varieties popping up at standard grocery stores. If you see King oyster mushrooms, make sure to nab them immediately! Here’s more about this unique variety. Oyster mushrooms are a common type of edible fungus with caps that are shaped like oysters. The stems are very short and they grow in clusters. Types of oyster mushrooms: There are seven main varieties. The most common types you’ll encounter at the store are pearl oyster mushrooms and King oyster mushrooms. The King variety is much larger and grows individually instead of in clusters. Other more unique types you might find at a farmer’s market or foraged are blue oyster mushrooms and pink oyster mushrooms. Where to find them? You can find this type of mushroom at some grocery stores or specialty food stores. You can also find them at international or Asian grocery stores. What do oyster mushrooms taste like? The flavor is delicate and savory, with a hint of complexity on the finish. Some people say they have a slight seafood flavor, or a subtle anise finish (black licorice). Either way, they’re best eaten fried or sautéed: we don’t recommend eating them raw. Do oyster mushrooms smell fishy? Some can! This variety of mushroom can smell subtly fishy when you remove them from the packaging. Perhaps that’s another reason for the name of this fungus! How to store and clean them Once you get ahold of these mushrooms, what’s the best way to keep them fresh? How to clean them before cooking them? Store the mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator (not produce drawer). The best way to store mushrooms is in a paper bag, which allows them to breathe. Leave them in the main part of the refrigerator to get good airflow, not the produce drawer. Clean them with a quick rinse. This type of fungus grows on wood, so they likely won’t be as dirty as say, a cremini or portobello. Give the mushrooms a quick rinse to get off any dirt (don’t soak them or they can become soggy). How to cook oyster mushrooms Ready to get cooking? This sauteed oyster mushrooms recipe is a basic way to eat them: pan fried with herbs, garlic and lemon juice. While it’s common in Japanese and Chinese cuisine, it’s also eaten in European cuisines so here we’ve paired it with Mediterranean flavors. (For Japanese-style flavors, try these recipes for Lion’s Mane Mushrooms or Enoki Mushrooms: they’ll work here too!) Slice off the bottom stem. Slice off the stem of the mushrooms, which separates the individual caps. Saute 2 to 3 minutes in olive oil. Add a smashed garlic clove to infuse a bit of flavor. Add chopped herbs and lemon juice in the last 30 seconds. This brightens and lightens the flavor. Use any herbs you like: chives, basil, oregano, or thyme would be fantastic. Side dish: Throw them on a plate and they’re great as a side for chicken, fish, or a vegetarian or vegan main dish. Pasta: Add them to pasta with goat cheese or a creamy sauce. Or, use them in this Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese recipe. Rice or Risotto: Mix them into rice, or add them to Parmesan Risotto or Mushroom Risotto (made with homemade mushroom broth!). Farro: Stir them into whole grain farro, or make Farro with Mushrooms & Parmesan. Sandwich: Try them in a sandwich, like a Fried Egg Sandwich or Grilled Cheese. Quesadilla: Opt for a gourmet quesadilla, like a Brie & Mushroom Quesadilla. More recipe ideas There are lots of other ways to cook up this variety! Here are some common ways to eat them: