It’s a fallacy that mushrooms shouldn’t be washed for fear they absorb water, but, we still recommend wiping them with a damp paper towel as wetting the surface turns them dark and slimy only minutes after exposing them to the air.
Shiitakes' legendary health benefits are ascribed to an active compound called lentinan. Lentinan has been shown to be even more effective than prescription drugs against flu and other viruses and improves the immune status of those with HIV.
How to
Use dried mushroomsDried mushrooms are a great substitute for the fresh variety, especially as they have a long shelf life (up to a year) and so can be readily available when mushrooms are not in season.
They should, however, be used in smaller quantities than their fresh counterparts as they are much stronger in flavour.
Simply rehydrate in warm water or milk and add, chopped, to broths, stuffings or risottos, or mix into butter to melt over pan-fried steak.
Alternatively, grind into a fine dust and sprinkle over home-made bread or add to olive oil for a distinct meaty flavour.