Are you a mushroom fan?

Whether mushroom is a vegetable or fruit?

Lot of people think mushrooms are non-vegetarian items but let me assure you that they are absolutely vegetarian. They are fungi and similar to plants but lack chlorophyll, so they cannot produce food for themselves through photosynthesis. They grow by absorbing nutrients from materials such as compost, leaves, decaying wood and soil. They are ninety percent water, have few calories and minimal fat and cholesterol.

The Mushroom Marvels

Mushrooms come in different sizes, shapes and colors, smooth and silky or pitted and honeycombed. The best part of mushrooms is that they can be cooked in a variety of ways. Cook it the Punjabi way, cook it the South Indian way or cook it the Continental way – they are simply delicious.

How to clean mushrooms?

When it comes to cleaning of mushrooms everyone gets confused how do you do it?The best way to clean mushrooms is with flour to remove any dark spots on the caps. The underside (gills) hardly needs cleaning. Once the flour wash is done then a simple quick rinse in water is okay or better still wipe with a damp cloth. Peel only if skins are very discolored. In fact, while buying pick up only white and firm mushrooms.

Selecting the best Mushrooms..

Look for mushrooms with a fresh, smooth appearance, free from major blemishes, with a dry (not dried) surface. A closed veil (the thin membrane under the cap) indicates a delicate flavor; an open veil means a richer flavor.

Storing them:

Keep mushrooms refrigerated. They're best when used within several days after purchase. Do not rinse mushrooms until ready to use. To prolong storage, for package mushrooms, leave in their tray; remove plastic wrap; completely wrap tray with paper towels. For bulk (loose) storage, place mushrooms in a porous paper bag.