Shiitake and Other Medicinal Mushrooms for Cooking
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If you want to cook mushrooms, then there are a few varieties (like Shiitake) that are not just delicious, but which also have medicinal benefits. Just try preparing your meals with these edible and medicinal mushrooms.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms are found in several traditional dishes in Japan. These provide a distinct flavor to the food. They are savory, complex, and rich. Shiitake are something you really should consider trying if you haven’t already. It doesn’t matter whether you put them into a soup for enhancing the umami flavor of the broth, or you’re putting it into a stir fry for some additional crunch, shiitake mushrooms have a specific taste and a solid place in various dishes. They have even been used to produce chips as in “mush garden shiitake mushroom chips” or “dj&a shiitake mushroom crisps“. (For reference the pronunciation of Shiitake is ‘shee-tah-keh’.)
Shiitake mushrooms can be taken as a superfood because they are said to reduce your weight, so you can eat these mushrooms guilt-free. If you are suffering from a hardening of the arteries, then these mushrooms can help you to enhance your blood flow. Interestingly, these are good for your skin as well.
Lion’s Mane
This mushroom is well-known for its cognitive health benefits. It can help people who are suffering from different diseases. Lion’s Mane can help with diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s. For such an illness, Lion’s Mane can reduce the damage done to the brain and restore cognitive function.
If you want to cook with Lion’s Mane, just sauté them in a dry pan using medium heat. These mushrooms contain a high water content so, while cooking, they will release their own liquid into the pan. You can add some butter after some of this moisture has evaporated and the color of the Lion’s Mane has turned a golden brown.
Morels
To a mushroom hunter, few experiences are more exciting than finding a Morel in the wild. And there is a definite reason this mushroom is so treasured. Its flavor is not like anything else – meaty, without being too thick. They taste earthy, without being too overpowering. Your meals will be tastier with morels sautéed with butter, a little oil, wine, or cream.
Take a look at this morel recipe book.
Apart from their delicious taste, morels contain a high calcium content. For bone health and prevention of osteoporosis, these mushrooms are just fabulous. Morels contain important vitamins and minerals, for example, Vitamin B12 and Copper.
Cordyceps
Because of the way they grow, these mushrooms are known as being somewhat exotic. They grow on the backs of bugs so it is difficult to harvest cordyceps in any sort of measurable quantity. That’s why Cordyceps can be on the pricey side. Leaving the cost aside, these mushrooms are a healthy and tasty addition to a soup or stir fry.
Cordyceps may have libido-enhancing qualities. They also can boost athletic performance. Furthermore, cordyceps may also help fight cancer because of their high antioxidant content.
Portabellas
Portabellas are a tried and tested favorite with a meaty and hearty flavor. Place them on the grill as steaks. Alternatively, you can make your own healthy mushroom bacon by cutting them thinly, adding some barbeque sauce and liquid smoke. You can add them to a soup, a stir fry, or a casserole dish. In fact, you can use Portabellas for just about any savoury dish. Also, they have medicinal properties. Portabellas are enriched with vitamins and minerals, which help to keep your body strong and healthy. They may also have some cancer-fighting potential.
Conclusion
The traditional white button mushrooms are delicious and tasty. They really do have a place at your table. However, if you are seeking to take your meals to the next level, then give the mushrooms on this list a try; they are both tasty and medicinal.
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