With their mild, earthy flavor and deliciously chewy texture, oyster mushrooms add a subtle taste of the forest to any dish. You can buy a grow kit online or forage for your own mushrooms in the woods when fall arrives. The clusters of white capped mushrooms are easy to spot, and they'll look even better when they're served on your plate. Here's a quick and easy way to prepare fresh mushrooms that you can use in a wide variety of dishes.
1. Prepare Your Mushrooms
Separate the mushrooms from the cluster and chop them into smaller pieces. Forage SF recommends cutting them into roughly equally-sized pieces so they'll cook evenly. You can chop them into even smaller pieces if you're planning on adding them to a sauce.
2. Heat Up the Pan
Add some oil to a pan and set the heat to "medium high." When the oil is hot enough, add the mushrooms to the pan, making sure they're lying in a single layer. If you have any overlap, the mushrooms might not cook evenly.
3. Brown the Mushrooms
Let the mushrooms simmer for a few minutes. Stir them, then let them sit for another few minutes. The mushrooms should start to turn brown. At this point, reduce the heat to "low" so the mushrooms don't burn.
4. Add the Other Ingredients
If you're just cooking the mushrooms by themselves, you can skip this step. But to add flavor and seasoning, you can add ingredients like chopped garlic, thyme, and other herbs and spices.
5. Add Butter
To make your mushrooms even juicer, add a pat of butter to the pan. Let the butter melt for about five minutes so it soaks into the mushrooms. By this point, your mushrooms should be brown and crispy at the edges.
6. Finalize the Dish
Add any final sauces and garnishes to the dish. You can also sprinkle some salt and pepper in the pan to enhance the flavor of the mushrooms.
7. Transfer the Mushrooms to a Plate
You're done! Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and serve immediately.
These deliciously crispy mushrooms can be enjoyed by themselves or served as a side dish or appetizer. They pair well with autumn-inspired dishes like ham and beans, chili or butternut squash soup. If you're looking to get out of the house, treat yourself and your family to a day of foraging. Go out in the woods to collect oyster mushrooms, then come home and reap the rewards of a bountiful plate of chewy, crispy mushrooms. They make a great healthy snack, and they're all-natural to boot.
