{"id":9710,"date":"2021-10-17T09:37:43","date_gmt":"2021-10-17T09:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=9710"},"modified":"2021-10-19T07:55:46","modified_gmt":"2021-10-19T07:55:46","slug":"how-to-cook-lions-mane-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/how-to-cook-lions-mane-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Cook Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summer and fall are the perfect times of year to enjoy a fresh crop of lion\u2019s mane mushrooms<\/a>, but you can eat them any time of year if you have some dried or frozen. But maybe you\u2019ve just returned from your first harvest and you\u2019re not quite sure what to do with them. In this article, we\u2019ll talk about how to cook lion\u2019s mane mushrooms as well as some related culinary questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Rehydrate a Lion’s Mane Mushroom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There is no special trick for rehydrating dried lion\u2019s mane mushrooms. Like other mushroom types, they absorb water well and are easy to reconstitute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place your dried lion\u2019s manes in a bowl and fill the bowl with water. The mushrooms will tend to float to the surface, so you may want to turn them over a few times as they soak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let the bowl of mushrooms and water stand for about 30 minutes. This will not only reconstitute them, but will further clean them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the mushrooms are reconstituted, they can be used<\/a> just as you would use fresh mushrooms: eaten as is, sauteed or boiled, and added to recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind, there isn\u2019t always a need to reconstitute dried mushrooms. You can powder lion\u2019s manes and add them to many recipes as a flavoring.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dried lion\u2019s mane, in particular, tends to have a mildly chocolate flavor, which makes it a great addition to hot cocoa or chocolate desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, if you plan to cook your dried lion\u2019s manes by boiling, you don\u2019t need to reconstitute them first. They will become rehydrated during the boiling process.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If boiling dried mushrooms, add some extra water to the pot, and make sure you stir them around frequently so all parts of the mushroom pieces are exposed to the water. You may want to cook them a little longer than you would fresh mushrooms, about 20 to 30 minutes depending on how thick the pieces are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because all mushrooms absorb water, powdered lion\u2019s manes can serve as a thickener for sauces and soups. Be aware of this anytime you add them as a flavoring, and be sure to add plenty of water to avoid over-thickening or letting your recipes go dry.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Eat Lion’s Mane Mushroom Raw?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Healthline<\/a>, lion\u2019s mane mushrooms can be eaten in several different forms, including raw. While many sources recommend cooking or drying the mushrooms before eating them, the most health benefits can be obtained by eating them raw.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, food sensitivities are always a possibility with new foods. It\u2019s a good idea to eat a small amount of lion\u2019s mane first if you\u2019ve never had this type of mushroom before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re foraging for mushrooms in the wild, cut off just a small piece of a lion\u2019s mane to start. You can eat it raw on the spot or take it home and cook it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting with a small amount will allow you to see if you like the taste, and if you develop any sensitivities to it, eating only a small amount will hopefully limit the reaction you experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Lion’s Mane Mushroom Taste Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Lion\u2019s mane mushrooms are sometimes considered to have a very bland flavor, which makes them a great choice if you don\u2019t like the overwhelming taste of some mushroom varieties. Most people agree that they taste earthy, nutty, and mild. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lion\u2019s mane is one of the most mild tasting mushrooms, but it also has some unexpected undertones. Some people say it has a mildly seafood taste, similar to crab or lobster.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, dried and powdered lion\u2019s mane tastes slightly different than fresh or cooked. It can be added to hot chocolate drinks because it is often described as having a mild chocolate flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether using fresh, frozen, or dried mushrooms, there are so many different things you can do with lion\u2019s manes. For example, you can easily saute them in butter or oil for about 10 to 15 minutes, or boil in water for about 15 to 20 minutes, adding the seasonings of your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mix in some dehydrated and powdered lion\u2019s mane with hot chocolate or other drinks for a unique flavor combination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if you\u2019re feeling particularly ambitious, check out these two recipes below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lion\u2019s Mane Crab Cakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n