People have been enjoying mushrooms for centuries because of the flavor and excitement they contribute to our meals. Now scientists are beginning to discover the health benefits mushrooms contribute as well.
Types of Mushroom
Major types include...
WHITE: the most widely available fresh mushrooms, whites are mild in flavor, smooth and round in appearance, creamy white to beige in color and come in various sizes from button to jumbo. When small they have closed "veils" (gills are covered on the underside of the mushrooms); larger mushrooms may have open veils. White mushrooms may be eaten raw and can add excitement to soups, salads, sauces, sandwiches, main dishes and more
SHITAKE: These tan to dark brown mushrooms are also called "Oak," "Chinese" or "Black Forest" mushrooms. They have umbrella-shaped caps, open veils and tan gills. They are woodsy in flavor and best when thoroughly cooked. The stems tend to be woody and should be removed before cooking.
PORTABELLAA larger relative of the white and crimini mushroom, portabellas are allowed to mature longer than their smaller relatives and can grow to 6 inches across the top. When freshly harvested, they are a light tan with slightly rough rounded caps. They are used in the same ways as white and crimini. Their size, meaty flavor and texture makes them an excellent choice for grilling and sautéing whole or in thick slices.
Nutrition Benefits of Mushrooms
A serving (5 medium-sized mushrooms) has only about 20 calories, no cholesterol and virtually no fat and sodium.
Mushrooms are high in riboflavin, a B-vitamin that promotes healthy skin and good vision. Niacin, another B vitamin found in mushrooms, ensures that the digestive and nervous systems function as they should.
Pantothenic acid, also found in mushrooms, is involved in the production of hormones. Mushrooms are an important source of potassium; one medium-sized portabella contains more that a banana.
Selenium is an essential mineral that plays an important role in the immune system, the thyroid system, the male reproductive system and cancer prevention; mushrooms are the only produce item that contains significant amounts. Copper, also found in mushrooms, aids iron in its role in making the red blood cells that deliver oxygen to all the cells in the body.
Medical Benefits Mushrooms
Scientists are looking into the role that white mushrooms may play in treating and preventing breast cancer. Laboratory studies suggest that a mushroom extract may help prevent heart disease by reducing blood lipids and cholesterol levels. Researchers are taking a serious look at the medicinal potential of both shiitake and maitake mushroom extracts in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
Storing Mushrooms
Always refrigerate mushrooms. Loose mushrooms keep well in paper bags in the refrigerator. Avoid airtight plastic bags because they will retain moisture and speed spoilage. Properly stored, fresh mushrooms will keep for five days or longer.
Picking wild mushies is the way to go for me.
Morels, chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, honey mushrooms, chanterelles, black trumpets, hedgehogs, oysters, puffballs, russellas, blewits, etc.
They are all over the place! You just gotta know when to look, and what yer lookin' at.
mmmmm...yummy free food!
They always tell me mushrooms don't taste like anything, where is I ask why would you eat them then?
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enjoy online Wisconsin @ http://www.thebubbler.com
Keith ЯØÇЌŞ!!!!!
Ћ€βцßß₤€Я ЯØÇЌŞ
....Now, a very great man once said
That some people rob you with a fountain pen
It didn’t take too long to find out
Just what he was talkin’ about
A lot of people don’t have much food on their table
But they got a lot of forks ’n’ knives
And they gotta cut somethin’....
Talkin' New York by Bob Dylan
"ñƏƏDŽ ñɸȾ ƆɸЯƤɸЯ@ȾƏ ƓЯƏƏƉ "
by ƟƜş
Mushrooms are not only TASTEY, they also have many medicinal properties.
High in nutrients.
Besides adding a wonderful earthy taste and meaty texture to foods, mushrooms also contain essential nutrients. There are many health benefits to eating mushrooms. They are a great source of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and selenium, nutrients often lacking in our highly processed-food diets. In addition, mushrooms contain virtually no fat or cholesterol. Naturally low in sodium, mushrooms are also a good source of fiber.
One word of caution: Some varieties of mushrooms are toxic, so if you're fond of foraging in the woods for your supper, make sure you know which mushrooms are safe to eat. If you do your hunting and gathering in the supermarket, there is no need to worry.
We get those huge puff ball mushrooms in our yard along with Portabella, and something I"m not sure of it's name. I'd have to call my dad and ask him. He was all excited to see it ~ it was a biggie.
C'mon, Carol, many mushrooms ARE good. And as BRAIN says, they can be good for you too. Do your pigs and bunnies eat the mushrooms in your yard too?
If those other ones are morels, I will come and pick them for you. :idea:
They're good on the grill, including puff balls...but you need to educate yourself on the toxic, and non-toxic types.
Here's a link to help with that. You'll find links to books on the subject of identifying edible mushrooms, and when and where to find them http://www.backyardnature.net/f/mush-id.htm
Nope, sorry Brian....can't convince me to eat it.....
I see a mushroom and I think fungus.
Just my mind set. Can't get past that.
I've had folks slip mushrooms into spaghetti sauce, pizza, beef barley soup......found them every time.
Just biting into one gives me the willies.
Carol
LOVE LOVE LOVE Mushrooms! Any and all!
This reminds me to do a Google on mushroom growing, I remember back in the 80's buying a "mushroom growing kit" somewhere. It's a 12" x 24" box with the dirt in it already, you add the mushrooms 'spores" to it and keep it moist and place it in a dark cool area of your home.
All I remember is that they grew fast, wouldn't STOP and I was giving mushrooms away left and right! Now I am off to check that out......ya'll are making me hungry.
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.....just another day in Paradise
I saw Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs showing how they grow mushrooms at this mushroom farm and then harvesting them........
Can't do it.......nope, just can't do it.
Carol
LOVE LOVE LOVE Mushrooms! Any and all!
This reminds me to do a Google on mushroom growing, I remember back in the 80's buying a "mushroom growing kit" somewhere. It's a 12" x 24" box with the dirt in it already, you add the mushrooms 'spores" to it and keep it moist and place it in a dark cool area of your home.
All I remember is that they grew fast, wouldn't STOP and I was giving mushrooms away left and right! Now I am off to check that out......ya'll are making me hungry.
Thanks Brain! Done deal. Amazon is my favorite place to shop.....I don't have that "shopping gene" women are always talking about, so Amazon Online is perfect. Never even thought to look for mushroom kits on there.
Amazon is like Wal-Mart though as far as going in there to buy one item and ending up with 20. (or more!) Mushroom kit is on it's way! Yum!
__________________
.....just another day in Paradise
Thanks Brain! Done deal. Amazon is my favorite place to shop.....I don't have that "shopping gene" women are always talking about, so Amazon Online is perfect. Never even thought to look for mushroom kits on there.
Amazon is like Wal-Mart though as far as going in there to buy one item and ending up with 20. (or more!) Mushroom kit is on it's way! Yum!
Which variety did you order?
Amazon offers a good variety of items, I can understand checking out with a cart load. Shitake logs, already impregnated with spores, boxes for buttom mushrooms, and sacks for growing oyster mushrooms.
I've been looking at the technique of identifying wild mushrooms. Some folks have portabellas growing in the yard. Fantastic.
I've been posting mushroom recipes in the recipe section.
Enjoy the morsels,
Brain
I'm totally understand Carol. Mushrooms are gross. lol
I can almost handle the canned ones on Pizza if they are tucked away under everything. But by golly they are so slippery they still slide around in your mouth and you can taste them in the end yuck.
We were coming home from Lake Geneva (west of Kenosha about an hour), last summer when, oh great, my husband had to see a huge mushroom store! I actually went in since there's not to many stores I can't find something in! This place I'm sure is mushroom heaven for those that love mushrooms. But it was pretty gross to see all these fungus looking mushrooms all over. lol
Here's the website for those that would like to check it out. I guess they are really great and have alot of varieties and you can even order online.
Happy shopping for those that like this kind of thing. lol
I'm totally understand Carol. Mushrooms are gross. lol
I can almost handle the canned ones on Pizza if they are tucked away under everything. But by golly they are so slippery they still slide around in your mouth and you can taste them in the end yuck.
We were coming home from Lake Geneva (west of Kenosha about an hour), last summer when, oh great, my husband had to see a huge mushroom store! I actually went in since there's not to many stores I can't find something in! This place I'm sure is mushroom heaven for those that love mushrooms. But it was pretty gross to see all these fungus looking mushrooms all over. lol
Here's the website for those that would like to check it out. I guess they are really great and have alot of varieties and you can even order online.
Happy shopping for those that like this kind of thing. lol
Well, I must say...CANNED mushrooms are completely gross!
I can't think of too many vegetables that are good canned.
For us "mushroom lovers", I am sure we all find it difficult to understand how someone could not like them!
But then again, I eat raw oysters (just a touch of Crystal Hot Sauce please) on a regular basis also.
:wink:
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.....just another day in Paradise
Ahh yes, mushrooms and steak. A classic combo. I like to make a mushroom gravy and pour it over steak and potato. This is especially good with the mighty morel. Morels have such a unique texture, and taste, they are hard to beat.
I think the best sliced and sauteed mushroom to pile on steaks is the Hedgehog Mushroom. It has a denser flesh than portabellas, and so much good flavor, it's surprising.
But then, I have never tried porcini shrooms...the King Bolete. These are purported to be the best of the best. I'll have to try them to see.
For raw mushrooms, like on a salad, the common button rules.
It's OK if Carol won't eat her mushrooms...that's just more for the rest of us.
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