Raw mushrooms, what say you?

[beac]

mr. beac and I were discussing mushrooms today (a delicacy I converted him to-- silly fellow thought he "hated" them prior to partaking of the many glorious ways I prepare them ;) )

Though we are both now confirmed fungus-lovers, neither of us can abide them in their raw form. I hate seeing them show up unexpectedly in a restaurant salad.

Any lovers out there of the beast in its uncooked form?

[Denninmi]

1. I partake from time to time.

I enjoy them in salads and similar cold dishes, not in large quantities, but a few can add a nice touch. I also enjoy the way they turn out in some Asian stir-fried dishes, where they are essentially just barely cooked.

[beac]

3. stir-fried = okay by me

I'm talking about the sadness of a mushroom plucked from the ground and cruelly sliced into a dish with nary the merest kiss of fire.

With all a mushroom can be married to heat, it saddens me to think of the ones that die cold and alone... or on a salad bar. ;)


;)

[Stinky The Clown]

2. I'm partial to my veggies raw or lightly cooked. I prefer my fungi cooked but will eat them raw too

I don't go out of my way for raw mushrooms, but neither do I avoid them.

[beac]

4. Don't get me wrong, a crisp raw vegetable is a thing of delight.

But mushrooms can never be called crisp and with their particular texture, to me, just cry out to be sauteed, roasted, baked, or in some other way made to release their amazing juices.

[NJCher]

5. I have a salad where I like them raw

It's a tossed salad with greens, shredded cheddar, sliced white mushrooms or creminis (preferred), lightly steamed peas, and ceci beans with Thousand Island dressing topped with croutons or dried Chinese noodles. I love the earthiness of the fresh mushrooms.

The mushrooms have to be really fresh for this salad. No darkness at all on the stems.


Cher

[Warpy]

6. Give them to me sauteed in butter every time

or as a wonderful addition to various sauces or even pickled. Just don't give them to me raw. It's a waste of a good mushroom to serve them raw.

[grasswire]

7. I used to live by a race track.

Periodically I would see trucks leave the race track -- trucks labeled "Shady Oak Mushroom Farms" -- and for many years I did not eat mushrooms. I'll eat them now if they are caramelized and savory.

[Lugnut]

8. Not really.

I'm not a big mushroom fan unless they're part of a steak and mushroom stew. I'd have to pick them out of a restaurant salad.

[MiddleFingerMom]

9. Raw marinated is tasty -- often found in "olive bars". n/t

[supernova]

11. ^^ This

I like them marinated at least. The vinegar seems to bring out their flaovrs even more than simply raw.

[yellerpup]

10. White button mushrooms are good to eat raw.

But, I read recently (sorry, I've forgotten where) that most other types of mushrooms need to be cooked at least a little in order for us to digest them. Some types hold mild poison that can be neutralized by cooking. Don't force yourself! :hi:

[kestrel91316]

12. Sliced button mushrooms, or chopped, are great in a mixed green salad.

But I really love mushrooms cooked in various ways. I just look at them like apples and oranges - barely related.

[amerikat]

13. Not big on raw mushrooms. The reason is

mushrooms are mostly water. Driving the water out concentrates the flavor.
If I prepare say button mushrooms, I slice them and throw them in a saute pan
with a bit of salt. I cook away the moisture, when they have reduced in size
about 50% add a small amount of fat( butter, oil, pork fat etc). Caramelize them
well. This will bring out the flavor. Just my opinion based of experience.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. I don't have much experience with many different mushrooms, mostly white button ones,

but I like them cooked or raw.

[DrDan]

15. love them on my salad raw

[shanti]

16. raw or cooked

i love mushrooms!