How to Cook Garlic Butter Sautéed Oyster Mushrooms Recipe

What Are Oyster Mushrooms?

Oyster Mushrooms are a visual treat as well as flavorful inspiration for chefs. They are clearly named after their oyster-like appearance. Growing in clusters, these delicate and delicious mushrooms are velvety soft to touch and have a rather dense meaty texture. These wondrous mushrooms are a relatively new addition to the culinary and medicinal world. They were cultivated less than a 100 years back, during World War ll, in Germany to make up for the scarcity of food. But for their mild flavor and versatility in recipes, they’ve quickly become quite popular around the world. They feed on decaying wood and microscopic worms. But don’t let this bit of information put you off because Oyster Mushrooms have tremendous health benefits.

Oyster Mushrooms – Nutrients Powerhouse

Oyster Mushrooms seem to possess rich nutrients to benefit everything from inflammation to heart and mental health. These mushrooms contain high levels of zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C, folic acid and niacin. You might like to ditch your multivitamins in favor of this natural nutrient supplement. And the good news is they are low in calories and high in fiber which makes them ideal for weight watchers. They help reduce cholesterol levels, increase immunity and bone health and manage blood sugar. With the highest quantity of niacin found among farmed mushrooms, a very little quantity is enough promote healthy functioning of muscles and neurological systems.

How to Clean and Store Oyster Mushrooms

I got recently introduced to this intriguing ingredient in a farmers’ market in Lahore. So far I had only tasted these in Asian restaurants. The vendors told me that fresh oyster mushrooms should have a firm, smooth and plump appearance. They should be dry to touch but not dried out. To store oyster mushrooms, you should wrap them in a paper bag or tea towel to keep them fresh for a longer time, never in plastic. To clean, wipe them softly with a damp kitchen towel or briefly rinse under cold water. Remember, they absorb water like little sponges. Fresh mushrooms last in the fridge for a week you shouldn’t freeze them. To freeze you’ll have to sauté them first.

How to Cook Oyster Mushrooms

One look at those mushrooms and all sorts of simple and delicious ideas started flashing in my mind. When pan-fried their edges turn deliciously golden and crispy and from this one cooking technique you can create many different recipes. Oyster Mushrooms sautéed in garlic butter or any flavored olive oil is in itself a delicious side dish and one of the simplest treats Nature can offer. These pan-fried beauties are a lovely addition to any omelet, burger, pizza, pasta, rice, soup or stew. The bigger mushrooms are best for grilling like a juicy steak. Uncooked Oyster mushrooms make lovely addition to salads as well.