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Knowing how to dry boletus mushrooms, you can preserve their beneficial properties for a long time. When dried, the product does not lose its aroma and unique taste. There are several ways to prepare it for the winter. Each of them deserves special attention.
Is it possible to dry boletus mushrooms?
The boletus is an edible mushroom that is distinguished by its bright red cap and stocky stem. It is also popularly called redhead. The diameter of the boletus cap can reach 20 mm. A distinctive feature of its structure is the edges pressed to the leg. Unlike other types of fruiting bodies, the surface is absolutely not sticky. Redhead grows in mixed or deciduous forests. It is harvested between June and September. The product has high nutritional value and pleasant taste.
To prepare mushrooms for the winter, the drying method is often used. Most often, the product is brought to the desired state naturally. Sometimes an oven or dryer is used. In total, drying takes from three to seven hours.To ensure that air evaporates evenly, the mushrooms are laid out in a certain way. Preparation of the product for drying is also essential.
This method of harvesting boletus has many advantages. The main thing is the preservation of taste and characteristic aroma. In addition, the product is significantly reduced in size, making it easier to store for a long time.
Among mushroom pickers, it is practiced to dry several types of mushrooms at a time. But in this case, it is necessary to take into account which fruiting bodies are combined with each other. Boletus and boletus can be dried together without fear. They make an excellent assortment, suitable for making delicious soup.
How to properly dry boletus at home
Dried boletus, the photo of which is posted below, is considered a universal product. A lot of different dishes are prepared on their basis. Used for frying, added to side dishes, sauces or soups. Dried boletus goes well with meat and vegetables. Their taste is in no way inferior to porcini mushrooms. Before cooking, it is advisable to soak dried aspen boletuses in milk.
Boletus contains up to 90% water
The drying process of redheads is carried out in several stages. The product is pre-prepared by thoroughly washing and cleaning. Worthy fruits must be disposed of. It is advisable to dry only young redheads, since old ones absorb all harmful substances. During collection, you should avoid places located near roads and industrial facilities. The bottom of the leg in contact with the ground must be cut off. The next step is to chop the fruiting bodies into small pieces. The smaller their size, the easier the drying process will be.Make sure that all slices are the same size. This will allow them to dry evenly.
How to dry boletus in the oven
To dry aspen mushrooms for the winter, you can use the oven. In this case, it is better not to use whole mushrooms. The most suitable option is to chop the mushrooms into noodles. To do this, the fruiting body is divided into two parts. Then each of them is cut into longitudinal strips. The drying process is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- The baking sheet should be covered with parchment. The mushrooms are placed on it in one thin layer, making sure that the slices do not touch each other too much.
- Preheat the oven to 55°C. The baking sheet is placed inside, leaving the oven door open.
- After the mushroom slices become smaller in size, the temperature is increased to 70°C.
- The baking tray is periodically removed from the oven to stir the product.
- The complete readiness of redheads is indicated by the absence of moisture when pressing on the fruiting body. In this case, drying is stopped.
In total, the mushrooms are dried in the oven for 3-4 hours
How to dry boletus mushrooms in an electric dryer
A specialized dryer will help you dry boletus mushrooms correctly. It is a device in which vegetables, berries, fruits or mushrooms are laid out in layers. Boletuses are placed in it, having previously been cut into thin slices. Procedure steps:
- Redhead plates are laid out on electric dryer trays. It is advisable to use no more than 2-3 pcs. In this case, the mushrooms will dry out faster.
- The device is programmed to a temperature of 60°C.
- If drying is carried out in a conventional dryer, the metal sieves on which the fruiting bodies lie must be periodically swapped.
- Drying time can vary from two to six hours.
The finer the boletus is cut, the better they will be absorbed by the body in finished form.
Preparing mushrooms in the microwave
Using a microwave to dry boletus is not popular. This is due to the small size of the device. The advantages include short cooking time. This option is suitable for cases where it is necessary to dry a small amount of fruiting bodies.
Drying process:
- Pre-sliced mushrooms are placed on a wire rack installed in the microwave. A pallet must be placed at the bottom.
- The device is set to a power of 100 W for 20 minutes.
- After the end of each cycle, you must open the door to get rid of excess moisture. It should be kept open for at least 10 minutes.
- The liquid from the pan should be removed.
Before drying, mushrooms must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt.
How to air dry boletus mushrooms
The simplest and most common option for drying mushrooms involves placing them outdoors. No additional equipment is required for this. The advantages of this method include a low risk of mold formation due to access to oxygen and the absence of moisture. In addition, there is no need to constantly monitor the drying process.
Thread drying
To harvest redheads in a suspended state, you will need a long, strong thread. It is first threaded into a sharp needle. The drying time depends on the method of placing the mushrooms and their size.On average, it ranges from two to seven days.
Drying stages:
- The aspen mushrooms are thoroughly washed and cut into small slices. You can leave them whole, but in this case it is better to use small fruits.
- Mushrooms are strung on a thread using a needle. You need to make sure that they do not touch each other. The ends of the thread must be secured to each other.
- The mushroom necklace is hung in a ventilated area or outdoors. To protect it from insects, the top of the mushrooms is covered with sterile gauze.
- At night, the fruits must be brought indoors.
On average, fruiting bodies dry in the fresh air for two days.
Drying boletus on paper
The recipe for dried aspen boletuses on paper is practiced no less than the previous one. It is most relevant for the warm season. This is due to the need for sunlight and fresh air. Drying is performed according to the following algorithm:
- The aspen boletuses, washed and cleared of forest debris, are laid out on soft natural fabric or paper.
- The substrate with redheads is placed directly under the sun's rays. The optimal drying time is two days. At night, the boletuses are removed indoors. Do the same in rainy weather.
- Every two hours it is necessary to turn the redheads. After complete drying, they are put into storage containers.
Broth made from dried mushrooms is considered higher in calories than meat.
How to preserve dried boletuses for the winter
You can learn how to properly dry boletus at home from the video posted at the end of the article. This process is not complicated. Attention must be paid not only to it, but also to preserving mushrooms for the winter.The main condition for long-term storage is the absence of dampness, since mold is considered a terrible enemy of the product. The best preservation is provided by bags made of natural fabric and glass jars. Sometimes, after drying, the product is stored in vacuum bags or plastic containers. Dried mushrooms can only be kept in the refrigerator for a short time. This is due to the high degree of humidity in it.
Some mushroom pickers prefer to roll the mushrooms into jars with a metal lid after drying, using standard preservation methods. The main advantage is the reduced risk of mold formation. It is extremely important to ensure that the product is completely dry during harvesting. If mushrooms are prepared correctly for the winter, they retain their beneficial qualities for up to three years. Otherwise, the boletus will spoil immediately after drying.
The appearance of larvae and foreign odors in the product indicates the need for its disposal. If, due to severe drying out, the boletus begins to crumble, they can be crushed into powder. To do this, use a coffee grinder or blender. In this form, redheads are added to various dishes to obtain a characteristic aroma and pronounced taste properties. When storing redheads suspended on a string, do not place them in close proximity to onions, garlic and other odorous products. The back shelves of cabinets and the attic are used as storage space.
Conclusion
Drying boletus is not difficult at all. It is enough to follow the recommendations of specialists and use only high-quality raw materials.The main role in this process is played by the drying temperature and the approach to storing the finished product.
