Shiitake mushrooms?

musenchild
musenchild Posts: 182 Member
I picked up about 10oz of shiitake mushrooms as "value-priced produce" which means that I need to use them today! Fresh shiitakes are usually way out of my budget and I'd like to really highlight them.

I'm vegan but pretty good at adapting recipes. I just want some inspiration, so how would you use them?

Replies

  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I add mushrooms to a lot of my cooking. I add them to pizzas, burgers, salads, stir-fry, just about anything. If they are going to go bad, wash and pat dry, slice, and freeze.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    i don't think freezing mushrooms is a good idea. you could dry them though, to make them last longer if needed.
    i buy the dried ones, they are very cheap.

    my favorite

    sauteed chopped peppers, garlic, onions, with chipotle sauce or use spicy peppers,
    top the sauteed shiitakes with the above mixture.
    for meat eaters, you could add some ground meat too. or bacon.
    makes a great appetizer. i plan to make them for football snacks.

    they are great with wild rice, a version of stroganoff would be really tasty. stir fry as already mentioned.
    there's so much more, but those would be my favorites.
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    I would lightly saute them in olive oil, garlic, and herbs and eat with (or on top of) steak, or in white wine and cream sauce over chicken. Perhaps tofu in your case. Keep the flavors light so the mushroom can shine. Red wine is a bit overpowering, same with anything spicy. I would also avoid cooking them in broths or soups. They kind of bloat and don't taste or feel as good that way. Another way I've had them was on top of or even in place of a burger with a nice creamy white cheese to hold them together. WOW. Not sure what magical, vegan substitute for that you might have for that though.
  • corinneselene
    corinneselene Posts: 306 Member
    i absolutely love ****ake mushrooms- actually every and all mushrooms hah. I love to pack my mushrooms into homemade ravioli or in Asian soups/lettuce wraps.
    I generally cook with whatever is around and rarely use recipes but i did a quick search for you and these all look amazing:
    http://raretee.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/butternut-squash-ravioli-with-****ake-and-walnut-sauce/
    http://ofcoursevegan.com/2013/03/30/recipe-shiitake-mushroom-and-coconut-milk-soup/

    All the recipes that come with this photo gallery look amaaaaazing! May have to check them out!
    http://www.blisstree.com/2013/04/22/food/vegetarian-recipes-shiitake-mushrooms/#3

    Good luck and eat fresh!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    i don't think freezing mushrooms is a good idea. you could dry them though, to make them last longer if needed.

    WHY? It works well for when you have too many. Dehydrating only works if you have the proper equipment. Nearly everyone owns a freezer though.
  • musenchild
    musenchild Posts: 182 Member
    Thank you, everyone! I'm really excited about my fresh shiitakes!
  • NancyKhuu
    NancyKhuu Posts: 87 Member
    I love Shiitake mushrooms :) My mom used to braise duck (I'd rather use skinless boneless chicken thighs due to the fat content) in soy sauce + sugar (stevia in my version) + salt + pepper + ginger + garlic + nutmeg (optional) + white wine and serve over white rice. I'd always pick out the mushroom instead of the meat because it tastes that good!
  • pocketmole
    pocketmole Posts: 614 Member
    I love roasted shiitakes. Really good tossed with a bit of white wine, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread them on a sheet and roast until they crisp a little around the edges. At that point there are any number of ways I love to eat them. On a pizza, in a quesadilla or soft taco, tossed with some fettucine and fresh herbs, on a salad or in a sandwich, or just right off of the cookie sheet :)