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Until recently, shiitake mushrooms were 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 cook shiitake properly so that they do not lose their beneficial properties and taste.
Shiitake contains amino acids, vitamins and macronutrients
How to cook shiitake
As in the case with many other products, proper boiling allows you to preserve the maximum flavor shades, as well as avoid the loss of beneficial properties. These mushrooms have long been known in Asian cuisine, including due to the beneficial effects on the human body:
- help to increase immunity, which helps to cope with various viral and infectious diseases;
- contain a substance that helps to lower blood sugar levels, as well as normalize blood pressure;
- prevent an increase in cholesterol levels, and, therefore, 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 age 14;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- bronchial asthma;
- individual intolerance.
There are several important points to pay attention to when choosing:
- mushrooms should have a dense texture and uniform color - too soft a cap 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 cooking shiitake, you need to properly prepare them:
- Fresh specimens need to be washed or, better, cleaned with a damp sponge, and then be sure to dry to maintain their dense structure.
- Frozen mushrooms should be defrosted before cooking.
- Dried shiitake needs to be soaked beforehand, as this makes the flavor richer and richer.
- The legs of these mushrooms are usually not used due to their density, but if they are soft, then you can cook with them.
- The hats are not cleaned as they give the dishes their characteristic aroma.
- They can be cooked whole or cut into slices or chunks, depending on how you use them.
An important point in boiling is the use of a small amount of water - no more than 1 liter of liquid is needed for 1 kg of mushrooms. Shiitake is a very porous mushroom, so boiling in a lot of water can make it too soft and crumbly.
Shiitake can be used to make a variety of salads, sauces and soups
Shiitake has a high protein content, which is why they are very often used in vegetarian dishes. In addition, they are distinguished by a rich meat taste, which allows almost no additional seasonings and spices to be added.
They can be used to prepare 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 much to cook shiitake mushrooms
How long it takes to cook shiitake largely depends on the state of the original product - we can talk about both fresh mushrooms and frozen or dried ones. Accordingly, the preparation for heat treatment and the boiling itself will take different times.
How much to cook fresh shiitake
The washed and prepared shiitake is placed in a saucepan or stewpan with boiling salted water. Cook them for no more than 3-5 minutes. Next, the water must be drained, cooled slightly, and then used according to the selected recipe.
How much to cook dried shiitake
Shiitake is most often kept in dried form. This allows you to preserve their beneficial properties, and also makes their taste and aroma more pronounced.
Shiitake mushrooms should be soaked overnight before cooking.
Before starting to cook, 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 the water should not be less than 3 hours, but if possible, it is better to leave them soaked overnight.
If the mushrooms are washed properly, then you can cook them directly in the water in which they were soaked. The cooking time for such mushrooms is 7-10 minutes after the water boils.
How much to cook frozen shiitake
Another way to store shiitake is to freeze it. It is in this form that they are most often found in stores.
Quick defrosting in hot water or microwave is not allowed for shiitake
Before cooking frozen shiitake, the product must be prepared first. Such specimens 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 harm the taste and appearance of the product.
After they are completely thawed, you need to squeeze out a little or dry on a paper towel. Then put the mushrooms in a saucepan with boiling water and cook for 5-7 minutes.
Calorie content of shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake is usually referred to as low-calorie foods. 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 boiled for long: fresh mushrooms are enough for 3-4 minutes, dried and frozen - about 10 minutes, in a little 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.
