Oyster Mushrooms, Dried

Also known as the black chanterelle, horn of plenty, black trumpet, and trumpet de la mort or “trumpet of the dead” based on the imagery that buried corpses are playing these fungal horns from beneath the ground. The outside can be rather waxy and black, but the inner part of the horn is usually velvety and charcoal grey. It’s a rather morbid looking specimen with an aroma of air-cured beef. The flavor is highly prized and tastes of an overripe washed rind cheese or a black truffle. The texture is close to that of a soft piece of dry mozzarella when reconstituted. These little lolitas are best cooked up in risottos, ragus, or minced with a bit of pork and shallot and stuffed into ravioli. In addition, black trumpet mushrooms are also excellent served with fresh gnocchi and dressed in gremolata.

Due to a gelatinous coating (it’s that light lacquer you see on its dried form), these whole Nameko mushroom has numerous unique uses. Often the mushroom’s broth is added to stocks or soups such as Miso, to not only add a savory, nutty, buttery, even scotch-like flavor; but to thicken it as well. The mushrooms themselves can add their own body and flavor. Next time you need to make a sauce for your stir-fry avoid using cornstarch. Instead, try adding a pinch of flour and some of the hydrating broth from some Nameko mushrooms. You’ll quickly find it works quite well and the dehydrated forest Nameko lend a pleasant bite and taste.

The Grade AA Porcini is one that has the perfect size. The Grade AA Porcini is one that has no worm holes. The Grade AA Porcini is one with an ivory interior and milk chocolate exterior. The Grade AA Porcini is one that produces a dark, fragrant broth whose aroma permeates the room. This is a Porcini that should not be hidden in soups or stews. Dried porcini mushrooms should be sautéed or grilled with a touch of garlic and ginger. It should adorn a steak and be slathered in melted herb butter. It should be the highlight of a salad; the ingredient that everyone eats first before addressing anything green on the plate. Behold! Grade AA Porcinis. Ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Dating back thousands of years the dried shiitake has been used in medicine and cooking throughout Eastern Asia. The mushroom was often ground up or used in teas and prescribed for respiratory infections, to improve blood circulation, and to prevent aging. The fact that it tasted so otherworldly that it was thought to be a gift from the gods made it a medicine that many were happy to take.

The shiitake is a mushroom that is always preferred dried over fresh. Dried and reconstituted, the mushroom has a far more intense flavor and the broth can be used for deglazing pans and adding to soup stocks. The woody stems are often discarded before drying as they’re usually inedible. The flavor is incredibly savory and umami-centric with hints of beef.