All about mushrooms!

In honour of national stuffed mushroom day, today’s post is all about mushrooms and their delicious flavour. No matter how you eat them, mushrooms are deliciously meaty, so much so that you can even swap ground beef out for mushrooms in many recipes. Mushrooms are available year-round in many varieties, giving you lots of tasty options whenever the urge takes you!

There are 7 varieties of Canadian mushrooms. The most popular is the white button mushroom, which varies in size from small to jumbo and is white or off- white.

Crimini brown mushrooms are similar in shape and size to the button mushrooms but are firmer and darker in colour, ranging from tan to dark brown.  They also have a more earthy meatier flavour than the button mushroom. Bring another serving of vegetables and important nutrients to your plate with this mushroom-filled twist on classic fajitas.

Portabellas are fully-grown brown mushrooms, with a large, light tan cap. Portabellas are the largest of all mushrooms with caps ranging in size from 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm). Try this recipe for stuffed portabellas, you’ll get hooked on them!

Shiitake mushrooms are tan to dark brown and have a large umbrella shaped cap with a skinny stem.  These mushrooms have a very meaty flavour.  This noodle bowl recipe expertly incorporates the meaty flavour of shiitake mushrooms.

Oyster mushrooms have a light to dark brown, funnel-shaped cap, ranging in size from 1 to 4 in. (2.5 to 10 cm.), with a short off-centre stem. This variety has a very mild flavour and need to be the star of the dish. Try this delicious recipe for Oyster Mushroom Rockefeller.

Enoki mushrooms look very different than other varieties.  They have long, slender white stems with tiny, firm caps. Their flavour is mild and delicate flavour and their texture is slightly crunchy. They are very delicate so should always be added at the end of the recipe. They work well as a garnish for soups, salads, and Asian inspired noodles.

King oyster mushrooms have a light tan cap with a thick white stem, and have a woodsy and sweet taste.  If you’re feeling fancy you can try out these king oyster mushrooms with roasted cherries.

Mushrooms are very versatile. They can be used raw in soups, salads, appetizers or entrees.  They can be eaten raw, plain or with any variety of dips.  And they can be stir-fried, baked or breaded.

What’s your favourite way to eat mushrooms?