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Shiitake mushrooms have recently been considered an exotic product, and today they are increasingly used to prepare various dishes. Their popularity is due to their pronounced pleasant taste and high nutritional value. It is important to know how to properly cook shiitake so that they do not lose their beneficial properties and taste.
Shiitake contains amino acids, vitamins and macronutrients
How to cook shiitake
As is the case with many other products, proper boiling allows you to save a maximum of flavors, as well as avoid the loss of useful properties. These mushrooms have long been known in Asian cuisine, including due to their beneficial effects on the human body:
- increase immunity, which helps to cope with various viral and infectious diseases;
- contain a substance that helps lower blood sugar levels, as well as normalize blood pressure;
- prevent an increase in cholesterol levels, and, consequently, prevent possible damage to the walls of blood vessels;
- the composition includes a large number of amino acids, vitamins, micro- and macroelements necessary for the normal functioning of all body systems.
It should be borne in mind that there are some contraindications for use:
- pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding;
- children up to 14 years;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- bronchial asthma;
- individual intolerance.
There are several important points to consider when choosing:
- mushrooms should have a dense texture and uniform color – too soft a hat or dark spots on the surface may indicate that the mushrooms have been lying for a long time;
- the presence of mucus on the surface is unacceptable – this is a sign of a spoiled product.
Before you cook shiitake, you need to properly prepare them:
- Fresh specimens should be washed or better cleaned with a damp sponge, and then be sure to dry in order to maintain their dense structure.
- Frozen mushrooms should be thawed before cooking.
- Dried shiitake requires pre-soaking, as this makes the taste more intense and rich.
- The legs of these mushrooms are usually not used because of their density, but if they are soft, then you can cook with them.
- Hats are not cleaned, as they give the dishes a characteristic aroma.
- Depending on the method of use, they can be boiled whole or cut into slices or pieces.
An important point when boiling is the use of a small amount of water – for 1 kg of mushrooms you need no more than 1 liter of liquid. Shiitake is a very porous mushroom, so boiling it in too much water can make it too soft and crumbly.
Shiitake can be used in various salads, sauces and soups.
Shiitake has a high protein content, which is why they are often used in vegetarian dishes. In addition, they are distinguished by a rich meaty taste, which makes it possible to add almost no additional seasonings and spices.
From them you can cook various salads, soups and sauces. They serve as an excellent side dish for meat or fish dishes. The extract obtained from these mushrooms is often added to drinks and dessert dishes.
How long to cook shiitake mushrooms
How long to cook shiitake mushrooms largely depends on the condition of the original product – we can talk about fresh mushrooms, as well as frozen or dried ones. Accordingly, preparation for heat treatment and boiling itself will take different times.
How long to cook fresh shiitake
Washed and prepared shiitake is placed in a saucepan or saucepan with boiling salted water. They should be cooked no more than 3-5 minutes. Next, the water must be drained, cooled slightly, and then used according to the selected recipe.
How long to cook dried shiitake
Shiitake is most often stored in dried form. This allows you to save their beneficial properties, and also makes their taste and aroma more pronounced.
Shiitake mushrooms should be soaked overnight before cooking.
Before you start cooking, dried shiitake must be cleaned of possible debris and dirt, washed thoroughly, and then soaked in 2 liters of clean water. The time spent in water should not be less than 3 hours, but if possible, it is better to leave them soaked overnight.
If the mushrooms are properly washed, then you can boil them directly in the water in which they were soaked. The cooking time of such mushrooms is 7-10 minutes after boiling water.
How long to cook frozen shiitake
Freezing is another way to store shiitake. It is in this form that they are most often found in stores.
For shiitake, quick defrosting in hot water or microwave is not acceptable.
Before cooking frozen shiitake, the product must first be prepared. Such instances must first be completely thawed. The most correct and gentle way to defrost is to place the mushrooms in the refrigerator, where they will gradually thaw. Rapid defrosting at room temperature, and even more so when using a microwave oven or hot water, can greatly damage the taste and appearance of the product.
After they are completely thawed, you need to squeeze a little or dry them on a paper towel. Then put the mushrooms in a saucepan with boiling water and cook for 5-7 minutes.
Shiitake mushroom calories
Shiitake is considered to be a low calorie food. It is only 34 kcal per 100 g. It should be borne in mind that if shiitake in a dish is combined with other products, then the calorie content of the whole dish will depend on all the components in its composition.
Conclusion
Shiitake should not be cooked for long: fresh mushrooms need 3-4 minutes, dried and frozen – about 10 minutes, in a small amount of water. If overexposed, they will taste like rubber. At the same time, the taste of the dish largely depends on the correct choice of mushrooms, as well as preparation for boiling.
