The Mushroom Council

Review by Debbie Mazo

 
In early civilizations throughout the world, mushroom rituals were commonplace. In countries like Russia and China, many believed that mushrooms had properties that could produce super-human strength, help in finding lost objects, even lead the soul to a godly existence. Today, modern cooks are familiar with the versatility of mushrooms and have eagerly incorporated them into contemporary cooking cuisine. Visit the Mushroom Council and you can explore the fascinating world of fresh gourmet mushrooms.

There are over 2,500 mushroom varieties grown in the world today offering a colorful palette of distinct flavors and textures. From the crimini variety with its dense earthy flavor to the morel mushroom that produces a rich, nut-like flavor, you'll get an introduction to the most popular mushrooms available in your market and how to care for them. Handling tips include how to clean your mushrooms: gently wipe mushrooms with a damp cloth or soft brush to remove occasional peat moss particles. Want to make your mushrooms last longer? Then, store them in a porous pager bag in the refrigerator and avoid air tight containers that cause moisture condensation speeding spoilage.

Whether you need to dress up a dish or add a whole new dimension of flavor, mushrooms can save the day. Once you slice your mushrooms, the Mushroom Council will show how cooking them is a breeze with preparation methods ranging from sautéing (the most popular way) to microwaving (no oil or butter needed) to grilling or broiling (the preferred method for larger capped mushrooms like portabellas and shitakes). You can also check out 12 quick and simple ideas for cooking with fresh mushrooms like stuffing mushroom caps with softened cream cheese seasoned with herbs, and arranging them on dressed salad greens.

All cultivated mushrooms are sodium-free and low in calories and cholesterol. With such a great nutritional scorecard, mushrooms are an excellent choice for a healthy, balanced diet. The Mushroom Council offers over a hundred original recipes that can be selected by mushroom variety, course, and cuisine. Fans of the Portabella can feast on choices like Peppery Portabellas with Pasta or Grilled Portabella Burger with Fontina and Basil. Looking for a new way to serve your salad greens? Then, sample choices like Black Thai Mushroom Salad with Lime-jalapeño Salsa or Honey Mustard Bean and Vegetable Salad. Once you find your favorite, you can email it to your friends and let them in on the great recipe collection for friendly fungi at the Mushroom Council.  

 
About the Writer

Debbie Mazo is a writer and editor based in Vancouver, Canada. She currently specializes in technical and marketing materials, but is also pursuing opportunities in food journalism.

Copyright © 2000, Debbie Mazo. All rights reserved.

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