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How to use dried mushrooms in cooking

Dried mushrooms are a great ingredient to prepare delicious recipes. To get tasty dishes follow our tips on how to use them best.

Dried mushrooms: how to use them in the kitchen? Of course, they are practical and always at hand. They can be the protagonists of really tasty dishes. Before using them in the recipes we love, it is good to moisturize them. Here are 4 foolproof methods to get the most out of dried mushrooms.

Dried mushrooms and cold water

Softening dried mushrooms with cold water is the most common method.

To obtain a good result, it is necessary to leave the dried mushrooms to soak for 15 - 20 minutes. This procedure allows to obtain an increase in volume in the mushrooms, and to maintain unchanged flavor and consistency.

After the rest period, drain the mushrooms and squeeze them gently. The water used for soaking should not be thrown away: it is better to pass it in a narrow mesh strainer covered with gauze, to eliminate any soil residues. The liquid obtained can be used in preparations to add flavor.

Dried mushrooms and hot water

Another way to get the most out of dried mushrooms is to boil some slightly salted water.

When it boils, wait a few minutes for it to cool. Soak the dried mushrooms and let them rest until the water has cooled.

Also in this case you can keep the liquid used for rehydration, after draining it. Before using the mushrooms, wring them out with a cloth.

Dried mushrooms and milk

If you want to make a soup or a mushroom soup, you can use warm milk instead of water.

Bring a pot full of milk to a boil. Then dip the dried mushrooms and simmer for a couple of minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Once the room temperature is reached, drain the mushrooms and gently squeeze them with a cloth. The result? Juicy mushrooms, soft and ready to be cooked!

Dried mushrooms, water and baking soda

To rehydrate dried mushrooms you can use a technique that is also used in cooking for dried legumes: immerse them in cold water and baking soda.

Let them soak for at least 3 hours, then drain and rinse under plenty of running water. Arrange them on a cloth and gently squeeze them. At this point the mushrooms will be ready to be cooked. If you use this method to prepare mushrooms for a light frying, baking soda will also limit the splashing of boiling oil.

Dried mushrooms and vegetable broth

To get an even more tasty mushroom risotto, prepare a little vegetable broth: mix the broth with cold water (one part broth for one part water).

Soak the dried mushrooms and let them rest for 15 - 20 minutes. Drain them (always keep the soaking liquid aside) and dry them with a cloth. Filter the resting liquid with a narrow mesh strainer covered with gauze: it will be useful as an ingredient for your recipes!

Steamed dried mushrooms

A final way to revive dried mushrooms is to use not water directly, but steam.

To get a good result, boil a pot of slightly salted water. When it has reached the boiling point, place a steaming basket in the pot (or, if you do not have one, the basket of a fryer: it will be fine the same) and arrange on it dried mushrooms. Keep the heat on for a couple of minutes, then cover the pot with the lid and remove from the stove. Let it rest until the water has cooled. You will get fleshy and moist mushrooms, and you will not need to squeeze them: they will be immediately ready for your preparations!

Choose dried mushrooms Ghiotto Galfrè

Try our dried mushrooms for your preparation in the kitchen: they are carefully selected with visual control by our experts, disinfected only through heat (without chemicals) and packaged strictly by hand, as per tradition. Whatever method you choose to soften them, the result will be a success!