Dried Mushrooms
Mushroom are grown from mushroom spores in a controlled environment
in mushroom farms. You can buy fresh harvest mushroom from the
farm.
Fresh mushrooms are dried, selected and pack.
There are many varieties, black or brown in colour. The very
large ones with a lighter colour and a cracked surface are the
best.
These dried mushrooms are usually the most expensive so use
them with a light touch. They can be bought in boxes or plastic
bags from Chinese grocers. Chinese used as a gift pack during
visiting or festival season.
Japanese dried shitake mushroom are also one of the favorite
choice. It is mush more expensive, thicker, better texture and
fragrant.
Some of Japanese shitake mushroom are now grown in China which
is much cheaper than grown.
To use, soak the dried mushrooms in a bowl of warm water for
about 20 minutes until soft and pliable. Squeeze out the excess
water and cut off and discard the wood stems.
Only the caps are used. The soaking water can be saved and used
in soups and as rice water. Strain the liquid through a fine
sieve to discard any sand or residue from the dried mushrooms.
Used in stew, braise, steam, stir-fry and soup. Bigger mushroom
are half.
Dried mushroom that are light in color, fragant and thick are
quality pick.
Store in a cool place in a airtight jar.
