Zest of oriental cuisine - shiitake mushrooms
Mushrooms are a separate kingdom of the plant world, combining not only the characteristics of plants, but also animals. There are many representatives, many of which are consumed for food. Shiitake mushrooms are an edible specimen that has the same popularity as champignons.
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Description
You can identify a mushroom by its appearance: a brown hat 5-25 cm in diameter, and its tone changes from light to dark. The shade is lighter along the edge and there is a fringe. The entire surface of the cap is covered with white scales.
The pulp and plates of the mushroom are white. The latter, when pressed, acquire a brown tint. The inner part of the leg is rigid, also painted white, which darkens when pressed.
Chinese shiitake mushrooms taste like champignons.
Chemical composition
The composition of the black mushroom is truly unique, because it contains essential amino acids, polysaccharides, mushroom phytoncides, fatty acids, mineral components such as iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, copper, nickel, magnesium, calcium, zinc, selenium, sodium, polysaccharide lentinan (increases immunity), various vitamins A, B (1, 5-6, 9, 12), E, D, D, PP.
Shiitake mushroom has a low calorie content, which means it can be included in the diet for those who seek to reduce their weight.
Benefit
As for the beneficial properties, the mushroom has a lot of them. And all thanks to the vitamin and nutritional composition. So, a mushroom:
- helps to strengthen the immune system, the body is better able to resist infections;
- fights diabetes and complications after it;
- promotes intensive breakdown of fats;
- prevents the occurrence of blood clots;
- has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system;
- takes part in the production of interferon;
- in a number of studies, scientists have found that fungi are able to prevent the development of cancer, and fight against its already existing cells;
- reduces the risk of strokes, heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases;
- removes toxins from the body;
- reduces the concentration of cholesterol by at least 10%;
- strengthens the nervous system and has a beneficial effect on its work;
- effectively suppresses viral diseases even at the stage of their development.
Harm
Despite the undeniable benefits, shiitake mushrooms can be harmful, especially when they are uncontrolled. Not to mention the possible manifestation of an allergic reaction.
Mushrooms contain chitin - in large quantities it is very dangerous.
It is forbidden to eat mushrooms:
- children up to 12-14 years of age, since mushrooms are very difficult for their stomach and difficult to digest;
- people with bronchial asthma;
- persons with individual intolerance;
- women during pregnancy and lactation.
You should also be careful when using medications, tinctures and extracts based on shiitake. Regardless of the purpose for which you use them, for therapeutic or prophylactic, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Growing
In nature, the mushroom grows mainly on beeches.But how to grow shiitake mushrooms at home? There are two ways.
Extensive method
Shiitake mycelium is "planted" on logs (1-1.5 m * 0-15 cm), as well as on stumps (35-40 cm * 20-25 cm in length and diameter).
Use only that wood, after the felling of which at least 2-3 months have passed.
Before planting the mycelium, the wood, if necessary, should be soaked in water. This is necessary so that its humidity is 40%. Next, holes are drilled at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other, measuring 10-15 mm / 4-6 cm (width * depth). The distance between the rows is 7-12 cm.
Mycelium on the grain is poured into the holes obtained and covered with garden pitch or closed with corks. After the logs are transferred to a protected room, wrapped in various materials that retain moisture and, having created favorable conditions (15-20 ° C), wait for "shoots". When a whitish coating appears and the log creates a dull sound when tapped, the log with mycelium is taken out to an open place where there is damp earth, there are no drafts and sunlight.
The plantation is capable of bearing fruit for 5-8 years. This method of growing can also be used in heated rooms, provided that the humidity is more than 85%. A large yield is obtained when "planting" beech or oak.
Intensive way
This method of growing shiitake involves the use of a "substrate" consisting of 60-90% wood shavings, sawdust, small chips. Other auxiliary components: husk, straw, organo-mineral additives.
The grains are sown at the rate of 2-5 kg / 100 kg of substrate. When growing a shiitake, the packaging should be completely removed from the block just before fruiting, since it is impossible to determine where the mushroom will grow.
To stimulate the growth of black fungus, blocks with mycelium must be regularly "bathed" or irrigated.
The time required for the conception of mushrooms is 5-7 days. You can harvest every month. Such blocks "work" only 3-5 months.
How to cook shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are a popular ingredient in oriental cuisine. The hat is most often used for food, since it is much softer than the leg. Soups, pastries, drinks, sauces, and even desserts are prepared with it. Remarkably, in Japan, yogurt, rich in potassium, is prepared from black mushroom.
Mushrooms are popular because they are able to “accept” the taste of other components of the dish, while not interrupting it. Shiitake can be eaten raw, but as practice shows, many people do not like its taste.
There are many options for preparing shiitake mushrooms. The duration of the heat treatment is maximum 10 minutes. When boiling, they are ready in 3-4 minutes (proportions of 0.2 liters of water for every 1 kg of mushrooms). As for extinguishing, it is somewhat longer - half an hour.
It is best to use specimens with a hat no more than 5 cm, 70% open, having a uniform dark brown color and a velvety surface.
The easiest way to cook is to fry the washed mushrooms in vegetable oil with constant stirring. When all the excess water has evaporated, the mushrooms are ready and take on a meaty flavor. Almonds, onions, walnuts and various spices are added to them. Shiitake goes well with udon, vegetables, rice and Asian noodles, any meat, seafood, rice, fish, pasta, and various sauces.
When using dried shiitake mushrooms, they must first be soaked to restore their shape, then squeezed, cut into pieces and cook as usual.
The world of mushrooms is not only limited champignons and oyster mushrooms. Shiitake may not be familiar to many, but they make delicious dishes. Try it, you will definitely like it!
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