How to Rehydrate Common Mushrooms
- Step 1: Begin by placing the dry mushrooms in cold water for a minimum of 20 minutes however it may soften unless time depending on how thick the dried mushrooms that you have are. This will not allow for any dirt or sand to float to the bottom of the bowl and the rehydrating mushrooms to float on top.
- Step 2: After the mushrooms soften up, lift the mushrooms out of the water and strained them through a sieve or a coffee filter. Now you can use the mushrooms and a quick butter and oil saute, pasta sauce, quesadilla, or almost any dish you can think of.
How to Rehydrate Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
Now let’s use an example of some popular mushrooms that you may already have in your pantry: dried shiitake mushrooms. When it comes to rehydrating dried shiitake mushrooms, you will want to allow them to soak in cold water for much longer than most other kinds of mushrooms. Marinate the caps of the shiitake mushrooms with some sugar and a bit of oil for approximately one hour before using the mushrooms in a recipe. For even more added flavor, try soaking the shiitake mushrooms for seven or eight hours for smooth and tasty shiitake mushrooms.
What Should You Do After You Have Rehydrated Mushrooms?
The liquid that comes from soaking dried mushrooms, be they regular mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms, can be used as a base for a soup or as a way to stir-fry vegetables and prevent them from drying out. Vegetarians love using this liquid because it’s a great alternative to chicken stock. The stems of the mushroom can be placed in a plastic bag and frozen until you need them!
