Secrets to perfect dried mushrooms: Tips for holiday dishes
The characteristic taste of many holiday dishes is hidden behind dried mushrooms. This is an important reason to carefully gather porcini and bay boletes in the fall. They are indispensable for cabbage, dumplings, and even herring dishes. However, one small mistake can change the taste of dried mushrooms.
Dried mushrooms are an essential addition to many dishes, but they require proper preparation. It's well-known that they need to be soaked. Although this task seems straightforward, it's better to know how to do it correctly. A small mistake can make the mushrooms tough.
Dried mushrooms are an important ingredient in traditional dishes
Dried mushrooms are famous for their intense flavour and deep aroma. Even a small addition of porcini or bay boletes can enhance a dish significantly. However, to achieve this, they must be prepared properly. Thanks to soaking, the mushrooms become softer and cook faster. This process is also important for another reason. During it, remnants of sand and other contaminants, which couldn't be removed before drying, are rinsed out. However, it should be done in such a way that the aroma of the mushrooms is not lost.
It's easy to make a mistake when soaking mushrooms
It is easy to make a mistake during holiday preparations, often due to haste. The water boils in the kettle, so you quickly pour it over the mushrooms? Boiling water makes them tough, causing them to lose not only their aroma but also their nutritional value. Dried mushrooms should be soaked in lukewarm water. The water should completely cover them to allow even moisture absorption. The water after soaking the mushrooms is very rich in flavour and can be used to prepare sauce or soup.
Use this trick
Do you have dried mushrooms that were not from the last season? Older bay boletes or porcini will taste better if you enrich the water they soak. Adding onion or bay leaves will also add flavour. An old, tried-and-true method is soaking mushrooms in lukewarm, salted milk, which makes them more delicate.
How long should you soak mushrooms? It depends on their type and how long they have been stored beforehand. It's best to monitor this process. Mushrooms soaked too briefly will be tough, and if they remain in water too long, they will lose their texture and aroma. Bay boletes and porcini should be well-prepared after soaking for about 2 hours. In milk, they should be soaked for about 4 hours.
