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There are a lot of ways to prepare mushrooms for the winter, which often makes it difficult to choose. Dried oyster mushrooms are an excellent solution to the problem. Preparing by drying will allow you to preserve mushrooms for a long time, and then make first courses, snacks, sauces and pates with them. They must be stored in glass jars or paper bags.
Is it possible to dry oyster mushrooms for the winter?
Oyster mushrooms, like other edible mushrooms, can be dried. Moreover, this process is simpler than preparing for the winter in other ways. Dried fruit bodies retain their taste, so they can later be used to prepare a variety of dishes.
Another important advantage is the long shelf life. When optimal conditions are created, dried fruiting bodies will remain edible for several years. Therefore, this preparation option is, without a doubt, appropriate for all mushroom lovers.
How to prepare oyster mushrooms for drying
Collected or purchased fruiting bodies require careful preparation. Of course, oyster mushrooms can be dried immediately after collection, but then the shelf life will be significantly reduced.
First of all, oyster mushrooms need to be cleaned of contaminants. To do this, place them in a container of water and wipe them with a kitchen sponge or soft brush. Only after this should the fruiting bodies be carefully examined for defects and damage. If detected, the affected area is cut off.
If the specimens are large, the stems should be separated from the caps. If they are small, you can dry them whole.
How to dry oyster mushrooms at home
There are several ways to make dried mushrooms. When choosing, you should take into account the availability of appropriate kitchen equipment. Dried fruit bodies have the same taste regardless of the cooking method. However, the shelf life of the workpiece depends on how correctly the heat treatment method is chosen. With this in mind, you should consider the best dried oyster mushroom recipes.
In the oven
This is the most convenient and affordable way, since everyone has a stove with an oven. Oyster mushrooms cook very quickly, after which they can be immediately transferred to a place of permanent storage.
You will need:
- oyster mushrooms;
- baking tray;
- parchment paper;
- wooden knitting needles;
- 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Drying preserves beneficial substances, vitamins and microelements in oyster mushrooms
Cooking steps:
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet (or grease with vegetable oil).
- String the pre-cleaned fruiting bodies onto wooden knitting needles, leaving a distance of 3-5 mm between each.
- Place the filled knitting needles in the oven.
- Dry at a temperature of 50 degrees for the first 1.5 hours, then increase to 70 °C.
- Cook for another 2 hours, reduce to 55 degrees, dry for 2 hours.
During the process, you should periodically open the oven and turn the knitting needles over, and also check which items are already dry. They need to be removed from the oven, and the rest should be left to dry.
You can make dried mushrooms without knitting needles:
The fruit bodies are laid out on a parchment-lined baking sheet with their caps facing up and cooked in an open oven.
In an electric dryer
An excellent solution for making dried oyster mushrooms would be a household electric dryer. With its help you can prepare vegetables, fruits, berries and mushrooms. Using such a device can significantly reduce the time spent on cooking and make the process easier.
Procurement stages:
- Place the prepared fruiting bodies on a drying sieve.
- Place into the device.
- Dry at 50 degrees for 2 hours.
- Increase the temperature to 75 degrees and hold until the fruiting bodies dry out.
Over-dried mushrooms will begin to crumble, and under-dried mushrooms will not store well.
Some electric dryers are equipped with a special mode for harvesting mushrooms. With its help you can make dried oyster mushrooms much faster than with a conventional device.
On air
Fruiting bodies can be harvested without any technical equipment, using only fresh air and sunlight. This method is better suited for the summer season.The oyster mushrooms must first be cleaned and washed, and then allowed to drain.
For the preparation you will need:
- baking tray or tray;
- sewing needle;
- strong thread (can be replaced with wire or fishing line).
To air dry oyster mushrooms, you need to choose the right place. It should be well ventilated and exposed to direct sunlight. Some people prefer to do this on the balcony, but this option is not recommended, since the air tends to stagnate there. It is best to make dried oyster mushrooms in a place that is outdoors and well blown by the wind.
Cooking steps:
- String oyster mushrooms on threads.
- Hang in a well-ventilated, sunny place.
- Allow the fruiting bodies to dry for 3-4 hours.
- Move and hang them in a warm, dry place (preferably over a switched on stove).
Air dry only in dry, hot, sunny weather.
Using this recipe for dried mushrooms, oyster mushrooms are cooked for about a day. If they have not had time to dry during this period, they are kept longer.
How to cook dried oyster mushrooms
You can make a wide variety of dishes from this preparation. There are recipes with dried oyster mushrooms that call for the preparation of just such mushrooms. This is explained by the fact that the taste of dried fruit bodies is more intense.
Dried fruit bodies must be soaked before cooking. To do this, they are filled with cold water. Milk can also be used for these purposes, as it promotes softening.
Harvested dry oyster mushrooms need to be boiled in order to be used later for cooking. They are filled with water, brought to a boil, salted and cooked until tender (at least 30 minutes).These mushrooms are best suited for making soups, as well as as an addition to baking fillings.
How to store dried oyster mushrooms
To ensure the safety of the workpiece, it is necessary to create optimal conditions. Dried mushrooms should be stored in low humidity areas. Otherwise, the oyster mushrooms will become damp and disappear. Recommended storage temperature is from 18 degrees.
The room in which dry oyster mushrooms will be stored must be dry and ventilated
You can store the workpiece in paper envelopes or plastic containers. They need to be opened and stirred periodically to provide fresh air. If you follow the rules of preparation and storage, they will remain suitable for consumption for 2-3 years.
Conclusion
Dried oyster mushrooms are a popular preparation with which you can preserve mushrooms for the winter. Preparing and drying fruiting bodies is very simple, especially using an oven or a special electrical appliance. In the right conditions they will last for several years. Moreover, they can be used for almost any dish.
