Champignons are the most popular mushrooms in the world. They are affordable and perfectly complement any dish. But, like any other mushrooms, they require careful processing before eating. How to cook mushrooms so that they do not lose their beautiful appearance?
Usually, before using mushrooms in a dish, they are first boiled. This is especially true for forest mushrooms. Now there are many farms where champignons are cultivated. Such mushrooms are sold in stores and do not require careful processing. Before you start cooking, you need to peel the mushrooms. Remove the ground and cut off the bottom edge of the foot. Pour cold water into a saucepan and set it on fire. Then dip the prepared mushrooms into it. Add some salt to the water.
Many housewives are interested in how to cook champignons so that they do not darken. When preparing salads or other dishes, mushrooms will look better if they are snow-white. To do this, add a little vinegar or lemon juice to the water in which the mushrooms will be boiled. The amount depends on the volume of water, but in the end the liquid should be slightly acidic.
If you want to cook mushroom soup, then mushrooms can be cut in portions before cooking. You can cook the champignons whole, so that later they can be used in another dish. How long to cook mushrooms - depends on several circumstances. If mushrooms are grown on farms or in greenhouses, then they do not require long cooking.
A distinctive feature of champignons is the presence of a nutritious protein, which is destroyed by prolonged exposure to temperature. Therefore, greenhouse mushrooms should be boiled for about five minutes. If the mushrooms are sliced, then you can reduce the time to three minutes. Cut large mushrooms in half so that they are the same size.
If you yourself picked mushrooms, then the processing should be more thorough. Cooking time should be increased to ten minutes to remove tannins. Some recommend draining the first water after boiling, and then boil in new water for about 15 minutes. Champignons do not need this treatment. On the contrary, long boiling will lead to the destruction of nutrients in these mushrooms. Therefore, when deciding how much to cook fresh champignons, consider their origin and size.
When preparing mushroom soup, you need to boil the mushrooms until cooked, and then remove them from the water. Since mushrooms should not be cooked for long, all the necessary ingredients should be added to the resulting broth, and only at the end of cooking should boiled mushrooms be put there.
A short heat treatment allows you to save all the beneficial properties in mushrooms. They remain fragrant and tasty. Before boiling champignons, do not soak them for a long time in water. They have the ability to absorb moisture, which is bad for their taste.
The opinion that mushrooms should not be boiled before consumption is also erroneous. The protein they contain is difficult to digest. Therefore, a few minutes of boiling will make it more accessible to the body, but at the same time all the necessary components will be preserved. When cooking champignons, it is not recommended to add spices that have a pronounced taste and aroma. These mushrooms are self-sufficient and do not require additional flavoring components. Add only salt and a little vinegar or lemon juice so that the mushrooms do not darken.
When eating mushrooms, remember that you should not overeat them. This rule applies to any species, and champignons are no exception. Mushrooms are a product difficult for digestion. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the measure. And of course, mushrooms should be of high quality and not cause suspicion.