Dehydrating Mushrooms

Special Care Is Needed When Dehydrating Mushrooms...

When dehydrating mushrooms, special care is needed. Don't wash them first as that will make them too wet... and I dehydrated them on 2 different temperature settings, see #3 in the instructions, below.

Mushrooms are used in many recipes: Soups, and added to stews, omelets, and as pizza toppings!

Back in the UK, I loved creamy mushrooms on toast! (I'll have to hunt out that recipe, now that I've had my quick trip down memory lane here!) :-)

Mushrooms Nutrition Info.

Mushrooms contain vitamin D, vitamin C, Choline, Folate, Betaine, and Niacin, followed by trace amounts of Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine, and vitamin B6.

In the mineral department, they are a good source of Potassium, Phosphorus, followed by Magnesium and Calcium and also contain trace amounts of Iron, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium too. They also contain Omega-6 fatty acids.

Attention Mushroom Pickers:

Identity Crisis Averted!

Before you dehydrate the wild mushrooms you picked on your hike, check out this article on Wikipedia.

Make sure they're NOT poisonous! It has general information on mushrooms; learn how to identify them!

Let's Get Busy Dehydrating Mushrooms

Let's get going... it's time to be dehydrate mushrooms!

1. Buy them pre-sliced for convenience. If you're using whole ones, gently wipe them with a clean damp cloth first to clean them. That's all you need to do. If whole, slice from the cap top down through the stem, into 3/8" slices.
2. Arrange your slices on your food dehydrator trays, making sure the slices don't overlap.
3. SPECIAL NOTE: Turn on your food dehydrator at 90°F for Excalibur dehydrators, and 95°F for Nesco dehydrators—for two to three hours THEN set the temperature to 125°F and dry for the remaining time.

• They will be leathery when fully dried.
• Drying time: 3 hours at low temperature, then up to 10 hours on higher temperature.
• Please remember to rotate your trays for even drying.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Don't be fooled by the first drying. After conditioning (having dehydrated foods sit around for a day in Ziploc bags on your kitchen counter—this helps disperse any remaining dampness evenly), they may still be too damp for vacuuming packing. Don't be afraid to really dry them out by giving them another go-around in the dehydrator—it's what I usually end up having to do...

Test for excess moisture by squeezing the slices.

Best Areas to Grow Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a type of fungi that come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be found all over the world, growing in both natural and man-made habitats.

Mushrooms are typically grown in dark, humid environments. This is because they need darkness to produce their food, and humidity helps them stay hydrated.

If you’re thinking about growing mushrooms, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Mushrooms need a substrate to grow on. This can be anything from wood chips to straw.
• Mushrooms also need darkness and high humidity to grow properly. A good way to create this environment is by using a plastic bag or terrarium.
• Mushrooms typically take about 2-4 weeks to grow from spores to full-sized mushrooms.
• Harvest your mushrooms when they are big enough to eat. This is typically when the caps are fully open.

If you’re looking for a crop that is relatively easy to grow and can be used in many different recipes, mushrooms are a great option.

What is the Best Substrate for Mushrooms?

This can be anything from wood chips to straw. The best substrate for mushrooms is one that is rich in organic matter.

What Are Dehydrated Mushrooms Used For?

Dehydrated mushrooms can be used in many different dishes. They can be reconstituted and used in soups, stews, sauces, or stir-fries.

Dehydrated mushrooms can also be ground into a powder and used as a seasoning.

What's Cookin'?

Filet Mignon
with Drunken Mushrooms and Mashed Potatoes!

Photo courtesy Jen Reviews

Where's the beef? It's right here—in this wonderful Filet Mignon recipe! 

Prep time is only 30 mins, with a cooking time of 45 minutes. I'd say well worth the time and effort to impress your better half! Full color step-by-step instructions are included!

Back in the UK

As a kid growing up in the UK, I recall a neighboring farmer had a mushroom shed (or two!). What was interesting (to me) was the roof's apex wasn't closed off. There was about a four inch gap.

It was great for letting in light, but as you know, mushrooms like darkness and high humidity—which was just as well—because in northern England it rains... a lot... and I'm sure gallons of rain made its way into the mushroom shed through the roof 'crack.'

Jeez, it's funny the stuff you remember, huh? (I'm going back 45 years here!)

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