Mushroom Mania
Disclaimer: This blog post addresses cultivated mushrooms vs. wild mushrooms, and especially not truffles (are they really mushrooms?). Neither does this blog post discuss “magic mushrooms”* (mushrooms containing psilocybin).
Why and How I Eat Mushrooms Practically Everyday!
Yes, I really do eat (and/or drink) mushrooms almost every day. The more I learn about the health benefits of mushrooms, the more motivated I am to include them regularly in our meals and recipes. Mushrooms are so delicious and there is such a great variety and so many different ways you can cook them.
Why are mushrooms such a big deal to plant-based eaters?
- Flavor: Mushrooms are delicious! When I was growing up, the only mushroom variety we ate and knew about was the white button mushroom. I used to consider mushrooms a special delicacy. But now I buy a variety of mushrooms regularly and include them in many meals throughout the week.
- Nutritious: Mushrooms are one of the healthiest foods we can eat, and including just two mushrooms a day can significantly decrease our risk of cancer. A fungus and not a vegetable, mushrooms are high in fiber and help build a healthy gut microbiome and improve heart health. As a source of Vitamins B and D, they support brain health and improved immunity. Different varieties of mushrooms have different nutrient profiles.
- They’re “Meaty”: For those who are transitioning from meat to plant-based eating, mushrooms can be prepared to take on a meaty flavor and consistency.
Your Fears About Mushrooms: Are Raw Mushrooms Safe?
Raw or cooked? While raw mushrooms available in supermarkets are generally safe to eat (after cleaning), we have limited ability to digest the beneficial components, thus the nutrient bioavailability is much higher for us in cooked mushrooms. I like cooked mushrooms a lot more. Mushrooms can be sautéed, grilled, roasted, braised, griddled, to name just a few methods of cooking.
*“Magic Mushrooms” or “shrooms” refer to the varieties of the species famously known for their hallucinogenic properties. Current research is now pointing to the therapeutic effects shown for many medical issues.
Weird Fact: Weird fact: Inky cap mushrooms are toxic when consumed with alcohol, so that is one mushroom I will definitely avoid! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an Inky Cap mushroom, let alone eaten one. But I learned that from watching THIS youtube video on mushroom watercolor painting.
Where I Like to Buy Mushrooms
We always buy a variety of mushrooms at the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market in Oakland on Saturdays. When we go to Costco, we also stock up on the beautiful and well-priced organic mushrooms they carry. That’s usually shitake, white buttons, and crimini, and sometimes portabellas. Of course, you can buy mushrooms at any market, and you can also keep dried dehydrated mushrooms in your pantry to use at your convenience.
- Local Farmers Market
- Costco – I love stocking up on well-priced organic mushrooms when we make a Costco run. Depending on season and stock-on-hand, you may find:
- Portabello
- Shiitake
- White Button
- Crimini
- Dried Mushrooms
- Whole Foods – pretty great variety of organic and conventional mushrooms
- Local/Chain Markets – Safeway (and Diablo Foods and Berkeley Bowl) in our locale.
Some of My Favorite Mushroom Recipes
- Roasted Portobellos
- Lentil-Mushroom “Meat” Balls
- Miso Mushroom Soup
- Mushroom Risotto
- Sautéed mushrooms on pasta
- Griddled mushrooms
- Vegan Mushroom Soup
Some of My Favorite Mushroom Dishes at Local Restaurants
Each of these have vegan options.
- Comal Next Door in Oakland: Spinach and Mushroom Burrito – (I have to order two so I’ll have leftovers!)
- Tane Vegan Izakaya in Berkeley: Grilled Mushrooms and Shizen Shiitake. Their sushi is AMAZING!!!
- Ramen Shop in Oakland: Veggie Meyer Lemon Shoyu Ramen — Request to add Roasted Mushrooms (additional charge – WORTH IT!!!!)
- Sliver Pizzeria (multiple locations) – on a day when they have mushroom topping (Lafayette location always has that choice!). Don’t miss the cilantro sauce!
My Favorite Mushroom Dish Abroad
- Madrid: Mesón del Champiñón – We enjoyed this place so much on each of our two trips to Madrid when our kids were on semester abroad from UCSB. Great mushrooms and sangria during our tapas crawl!
Did You Watch Fantastic Funghi?
We loved this film. It was so educational and inspirational, but also really gorgeous. Don’t miss it. Another more academic film I about fungi is ZOE Mushrooms as Medicine: Uncovering the Health Secrets of Fungi
Morning Mushrooms? Mushrooms in my Coffee!
Upon the wise inspiration of Dr. Joel Kahn, I’ve also recently started to add Cocotropic cocoa mushroom mix to my coffee, and I am alternating that with FreshCap Ultimate Mushroom Complex Powder .
Do you cook with mushrooms? What is your favorite recipe? Name a new mushroom you’re willing to try! I want to know so tell me HERE!
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Thank you for all this great information on mushrooms. I’m looking forward to trying some of the recipes, especially the Mushroom Miso soup!
You are welcome. Where do you buy your mushrooms? What is your favorite mushroom recipe?