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It is necessary to cut champignons in different ways for the preparation of certain dishes. After all, the final result depends on their shape. The method of cutting directly affects the taste and appearance of your favorite dish.
How to properly cut champignon mushrooms
The cutting method depends on the subsequent use. If you need to whip up a small volume, then use a well-sharpened knife. Cut the product into soups, salads, sauces and snacks into slices, wedges or cubes.
In dishes requiring prolonged heat treatment, mushroom parts are added thicker so that during the cooking process they do not have time to boil down and turn into porridge.
How to properly cut the mushrooms for frying can be seen from the photo and video below.
The cutting method is chosen depending on the further use of the product.
The main ways of cutting champignons
Chopping champignons correctly is the key to the success of any dish. It is worth paying close attention to grinding and before starting the process to understand all the intricacies.
Cubes
Cutting the mushrooms into cubes is not difficult if you understand the principle. First, the cap is separated from the leg. Each piece is then cut into cubes of the preferred size. This method is used in the preparation of mushroom caviar, fried potatoes, sauces and vegetables.
Depending on the chosen dish, the pieces are made large or small
Straws
Before cutting the mushrooms into strips, separate the cap from the stem. The latter is cut lengthwise into 4-5 pieces, then turned over and crushed again. Repeat the process with the legs. This form is often used in salads.
Strongly thin straws are not made, otherwise it will fall apart
Slices
To get even slices, first cut the fruit in two. Then, turning the half head up, begin the shredder. The smoother the movement of the knife, the smoother the slices will come out. The direction should be from top to bottom.
It is more beautiful to make slices of the same size
Thin slices
It is necessary to cut champignons on a stable cutting board. Cut the fruit in half. Then, with the left hand, they conveniently take the half so that the fingers are slightly bent. This will help not cut them with the mushrooms. After that, it is cut lengthwise into slices.
Chop the fruits with a sharp medium knife
How to cut a champignon leg
If you need to prepare a stuffed mushroom appetizer, then you need to cut off the leg of the champignons. First, remove the film covering the surface of the mushroom. After that, with the tip of a well-sharpened knife, cut off the base of the leg, which is inside the cap.
To cut the leg as accurately as possible, use a small knife with a sharp end.
How to properly cut champignons, depending on the purpose of use
To prepare a delicious dish, it is important to properly cut the mushrooms for frying, winter preparation, stewing, salads, first and second courses. The form depends directly on the selected recipe and the duration of the heat treatment.
For preparation for the winter
If you need to get dry fruits, then they are cut into thin plates. This will dry them in a minimal amount of time and help protect against mold growth.
Cubes or slices are added to the stew, while first separating the cap from the legs. If you need to freeze the fruits, then small specimens should be cut into two parts. But it is better to divide large ones into several medium-sized pieces. You can chop them into thin slices or wedges. After that, the prepared product is transferred to plastic bags or plastic containers with lids and sent to the freezer compartment.
If it is necessary to salt or pickle the product, then do not grind it finely. It is enough to cut off the cap from the leg or cut the fruit in half. In this case, the fruit bodies will retain their shape and are well saturated with the prepared brine.
The movements of the knife should be sharp, but smooth.
For preparing first courses
You can use a variety of product shapes in the soup. If it is necessary that the mushrooms stand out well among the other components, then they give them the shape of thin plates. If the task is to fill the hot dish with the forest aroma as much as possible, then cut the fruits into small cubes.
In the puree soup, you can add fruits cut into two parts. If the mushrooms are pre-fried, then experts recommend chopping them into large cubes. If used to decorate the first course, then grind into thin slices.
Garnish the soup with mushroom plates before serving
For the preparation of second courses
You can cut the mushrooms for frying into thin plates. In this case, they will first need to be fried. This will help remove excess moisture from the fruit.
To stuff the hats, the fruit bodies are placed on a cutting board, the leg is carefully cut off, then the film that connects them is removed. The legs are cut into very small cubes and mixed with the prepared minced meat intended for stuffing.
Cubes, plates or wedges are added to the stew. First, the leg is separated from the fruiting body and cut across. As a result, 3-4 parts are obtained. Hats, depending on the size, must be cut into 4-7 parts. Very large specimens are crushed perpendicular to the growth of the legs.
How to properly cut mushrooms for frying with potatoes, vegetables and meat:
- slices. With a well-sharpened knife, the plates are separated from top to bottom one by one. An egg cutter is also used;
- straws. First, you need to grind the product in the form of slices, then chop each in length. The result will be several even stripes;
- cubes. This is a traditional cut, the size of which depends on the original size of the fruiting body.
For julienne, it is customary to grind the product into thin strips. Finely chopped cubes are added to the cutlets. The product is cut in the same way for stuffing vegetables with mushrooms. In stews, they are used in the form of slices, slices, or straws. At the same time, the pieces should not be too thin, otherwise they will turn into porridge during prolonged heat treatment.
Fruit bodies, cut into plates, are used for frying
For cooking porridge
In porridge, it is necessary to grind the mushrooms into about 7-8 parts in small slices. To impart a subtle aroma, a small amount of forest fruits chopped into small cubes is used.
In porridge, mushroom slices should not be large
For baking
Mushrooms are often added to baked goods. Homemade pizza looks great with the fruits sliced into plates. In this case, the caps are not previously separated from the legs.Small mushroom cubes are added to zrazy, pasties, pies and casseroles. Any form of fruit body is suitable for pies. Thin plates and wedges look especially beautiful in open baked goods.
Homemade baked goods with mushrooms look more appetizing
For cooking over an open fire
It is impossible to cut the mushrooms for grilling very thinly, otherwise they will quickly dry out. It is worth crushing them with thick plates.
Whole specimens are most often used for barbecue. You can cut the fruit into two parts, in large slices or plates. If the pieces are thinned, they will quickly separate from the skewer and fall onto the coals.
The halves are ideal for grilling and barbecuing
For preparing salads and snacks
With the addition of champignons, salads and various snacks are very tasty. Depending on the selected recipe and the desired appearance of the dish, cut the product into strips, plates or cubes.
Not only the taste of the dish, but also the appearance depends on the shape of cutting forest fruits.
For sauces
Finely diced cubes are added to a variety of sauces to add flavor to the gravy. Thin plates are also used.
Mushrooms in sour cream sauce go well with porridge
What accessories can be used to cut champignons
Chopping too many mushrooms by hand takes too long. To facilitate the process, use an egg cutter. Even slices are easily and very quickly obtained. If cubes are needed for julienne, then the mushroom is turned over like an egg. It is better to put the fruits in the device with the cap down. Thus, they will not break and will be easier to grind.
An egg cutter will quickly cope with slicing mushrooms
For very fine cuts, use a food processor.
Put the product into the device and set the "Fine cut" mode
You can quickly chop the fruiting bodies in an electric shredder. Place the product in the appliance and grind.
For this, a special nozzle is installed, designed for cutting into slices, straws or bars.
Conclusion
It is necessary to cut the champignons correctly. After all, it is the size and shape that affect the taste of your favorite dish. You can grind with a knife or take a food processor, egg cutter or electric shredder for help.
