How to dry mushrooms
Dear Lynne,
Do you have any advice on drying mushrooms? We got a bargain on some wild ones and want to keep them for next winter.
It seems there are two camps when it comes to soaking dried mushrooms: rinse them before soaking or after. Which camp are you in?
–Barry in Portland
Dear Barry,
To dry the mushrooms, use a soft brush to wipe off any residual dirt, check that there are no small creatures taking residence and string them on heavy cotton thread. Place a knot between each mushroom, and separate them by about 2 inches so there’s plenty of air circulation around them. Hang in a cool, dry, dark place -- moisture is the enemy here. Drying time will vary with local climate and weather. Once they are dry, you can store them in a jar or Ziploc bag for 6-8 months.
On the soaking issue, I’ve visited both camps and prefer rinsing after soaking so all possible grit is gone. The lagniappe here is the soaking liquid, which is a readymade broth, sauce base and flavor booster.
-Lynne
[More: How to clean dried mushrooms]
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