How to prepare porcini mushrooms?

Cooking porcini mushrooms: instructions

Recognizable by its brown, well-rounded cap and its plump stem, the cep is a delight for gourmets during the fall season. In the forest, it can be found at the foot of chestnut trees, oaks and beeches. However, if you want to make sure you find some, it is better to go to your supermarket or your favorite greengrocers. During this period, the stalls are full of porcini mushrooms, chanterelles and chanterelles.

How to choose porcini mushrooms?

First examine the appearance of the hat. It must not be damaged or wrinkled. Also, be careful that there are no small holes, as this could mean that unwanted guests (read worms) have lodged there. Then check that the hat is securely attached to the foot. The latter must also be firm, free from roughness, stains and scratches.
Finally, we advise you to choose small and medium sized porcini mushrooms, they will be tastier.
Be careful, porcini mushrooms can be kept for a maximum of 48 hours, so you should cook them quickly once purchased.

To read: Choice, preparation, cooking: everything you need to know about mushrooms

Should you choose fresh, dried, frozen or jarred porcini mushrooms?

Available all year round and easy to store, dried porcini mushrooms are often a more convenient option than fresh porcini mushrooms. In addition, it is one of the best preservation methods for mushrooms, as it preserves the taste and nutritional qualities of the product.
We will therefore choose dried porcini mushrooms out of season or if we do not intend to consume them right away. To use them, you will simply rehydrate them in hot water, following the instructions on the package.

Freezing or storing in jars tends to alter the texture of mushrooms. However, they are less expensive than fresh and dried porcini mushrooms, and are an economical alternative for tight budgets.

How to clean porcini mushrooms?

This step does not concern dried, frozen and jarred products since they are already prepared, but fresh and whole porcini mushrooms. In fact, it happens that we find them in stores already cleaned and cut, but this has a higher cost.

Here is the procedure to follow with fresh mushrooms. Start by scraping off any soil that may remain on the feet. Then run them quickly under water to clean them, or rub them gently with a damp cloth. Don’t soak them. This may make them mushy and less flavorful.

How to cook them?

In soups, pan-fried, in pies or in sauce… There are a thousand ways to cook porcini mushrooms. The only prerequisite to respect: fry the mushrooms over high heat, with a little fat. This will prevent them from releasing water. You can then serve them as is, with parsley to accompany meat; deglaze them with wine to add them to a sauce or risotto; mix them with milk to prepare a velouté… There are so many possibilities with this product that we can’t name them all. It can even be enjoyed raw, in salad or in a vegetable carpaccio.
On the pairing side, the forest flavor of the porcini mushroom, with hints of hazelnut, goes well with meats, cereals, and autumn vegetables. Otherwise, you can try a sweet and sour pairing with fruit in the dish. Even more surprising, mushrooms are available in desserts. Proof of this is the emergence of chef’s desserts around this product. It was even the theme of one of the Top Chef 2021 events. But then how to cook porcini mushrooms in a dessert? Most of the time, we find it associated with pear, apples, nuts or chocolate. Reduced to powder or in chip form, it adds the final touch to a cake or pastries.

So, are you ready to get into the kitchen?