Mushrooms

[elaine l]

Is it possible to freeze fresh mushrooms? I realize they will lose something but I bought a large amount for a recipe that I have decided to put on hold.

[Andy M.]

You will not get a good result freezing fresh mushrooms. They contain a lot of water and will get mushy.

You can cook them up and freeze then with good results.

[elaine l]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I will cook them first then freeze.

[BreezyCooking]

Definitely cook them first, otherwise you're quite likely to end up with a gooey, slimy mess. (Gee - can you tell that I've tried this? LOL!!!!)

[QSis]

That reminds me: Is duxelles pronounced the way it's spelled (duck - SELLS) or the way Emeril pronounced it the other day (doo - SELLS) or some other way?

Lee

[Katie E]

According to Miriam Webster, the correct pronunciation is "duke sell," with "doo sell" as an acceptable alternative pronunciation.

[CharlieD]

I freeze fresh mushrooms all the time. The only question is what you are going to do with them afterwards. I, use them for cooking and it doesn't mater how they looked after they were defrosted. If you are planing to put them on a pizza or a fresh salad I would not freeze them.

[sparrowgrass]

The other way to deal with mushrooms is to dry them.

Just lay them out on a paper towel on the counter, and in a few days, they will be dry. If they are particularly large, slice them up. Don't wash them first.

I store mine in the freezer, but if they are thoroughly, crispy dry, you could put them in a mason jar and store them in the cupboard.

When you get ready to use them, soak in warm water. Drying makes plain old button mushrooms chewier, more "meaty" and seems to intensify the flavor.

[Constance]

I slice and sautee my mushrooms in EVOO before freezing them, but I think Sparrowgrass has a great idea about drying them. I believe I shall give it a try!

[elaine l]

I ended up cooking them up in EVOO then froze them. My plan is to use them in a sauce. It will next week that I pull them out of the deep freeze and see how I did. I just love this forum. I have so many questions and now I have folks to answer them.