With their many shapes, textures and flavours, mushrooms are a cooking secret revealed in a multitude of surprising ways.
Most mushrooms have a woodsy taste with a slightly spongy texture due to their high water content.
How to choose
Fresh mushrooms must have a uniform colour, shape and texture. The mushroom’s surface should be slightly glossy and free of spots and bruises. Be careful not to confuse leftover soil for spots since mushrooms often have harmless traces of the ground on them.
Choose firm, whole mushrooms with no traces of mold. Remove any with tops that are sticky and wet. Fresh mushrooms shouldn’t smell strongly.
How to store
Mushrooms are fragile and there are certain basic rules to follow to ensure their quality. Fresh mushrooms should be stored in the fridge, preferably at a temperature varying between 0°C and 2°C.
To properly store fresh mushrooms, place them in a brown paper bag so they’ll keep almost one week.
In the freezer, raw mushrooms keep one month, while blanched or cooked mushrooms keep three months.
Dried mushrooms must be stored in a cool dry place just like spices, but they can also be stored in the fridge.
How to enjoy
White (also called button mushrooms)
Mild, delicate flavour
Slice into thin slivers for salads or leave whole to serve with dip.
Cremini
Slightly earthy flavour
Marinate in a blend of olive oil and garlic with chopped chives and parsley, slide onto a skewer, and cook on the grill.
Portobello
Rich, slightly sweet flavour
Empty and fill caps with sautéed escargots and garlic, top with Swiss cheese, and bake.
Oyster
Subtle flavour with a hint of hazelnut and licorice
For a simple, creamy sauce, sauté with onion and garlic, and then add cooking cream and parsley.
Chanterelle (also called girolle)
Peppery, slightly fruity flavour
Best eaten when cooked. Gently brown in a skillet and then add to a quiche or an omelette.
Enoki (also called velvet foot)
Mild, delicate flavour with a slightly fruity aroma
Place whole on top of a creamy soup or a green salad.
Shiitake
Full woodsy flavour
Best eaten when cooked. Sauté over high heat and integrate into an Asian stir-fry.
