Mushroom Growing Kits Make a Great Gift

For years my children and husband have always gotten me flowers and candy for Mother’s Day which I loved very much. When Mother’s Day came around last year, I was all ready to receive my usual candy and flowers from my family. The kids woke me up with breakfast in bed and lots of hugs telling me what a great mom I was when my husband asked me to come down stairs into the kitchen. Not thinking much about it, I put on my robe and followed him and the kids down the stairs expecting to find a bouquet of flowers on the kitchen counter. To my surprise, there sat two mushroom grow kits on the counter top.

My husband and kids could not wait for me to open up the mushroom growing kits. At first I was not sure about trying to grow my own mushrooms at home. I opened it up and read the simple directions and thought this would be a great time to teach my husband and kids about growing our own food. We quickly got started planting the mushrooms and could not wait to see if it actually worked.

It only took a few days when my youngest son, who is 5, noticed that there were already small pin heads poking through the dirt mixture. We all had to take a look to see if it was actually a mushroom growing that he was seeing. He was right. The mushrooms started to grow in just a few days just like the information had stated. We were all thrilled and could not wait to harvest these delicious mushrooms.

After several days had passed the mushrooms were ready to harvest. We helped the 5 year old pick the mushrooms, while my older two cleaned them off. I chopped them up later on that morning and put them in omelets and they were so tasty. I told my family that the mushroom kits were the best Mother’s Day Present and that I am looking forward to receiving more as gifts in the future.

Growing Mushrooms at Home

Since spring has arrived, many of us who love to grow our own garden are getting ready to plant. There is nothing more rewarding then growing your own produce and using the fresh veggies in our favorite recipes. But, many of us do not know that you can also grow mushrooms in your own home. Oakhill Mushrooms carries a variety of mushroom grow kits.

Home gardeners love the idea of growing their own mushrooms at home, but are not sure how it works or think that it is too complicated. Growing mushrooms is actually quite simple. All one needs to grow delicious and fresh mushrooms is mushroom kits. All you have to do is follow the simple instructions to start growing mushrooms yourself. The grow kit comes with a block made of enriched sawdust and wood chips that contains the mushroom spores, a hydration tent and instructions. Just soak the block in water for a few hours and place the block in the hydration tent out of direct sunlight. In a few days the mushrooms will start to emerge about the size of a pinhead. In about a week the mushrooms will grow to maturity and will be ready to harvest to use in your favorite recipes.

Those who enjoy growing and preparing their own vegetables to serve to dinner guests will love serving them fresh mushrooms that they grew themselves. Just imagine how impressed your dinner guests will be when you tell them that you grew the mushrooms from a kit. This usually results in guests wanting to know how they can start growing mushrooms in their own home.

Not only is this very rewarding for home cooks to grow their own mushrooms it can also be fun and educational for children. Unlike growing other types of vegetables and flowers that can take weeks to see results, mushroom growing kits start to grow in a few days and by the end of a week. Children can then see the mushroom growing progress quickly and then be able to harvest them in short amount of time.

Mushroom kits are a wonderful way to grow mushrooms at home. This is not only a fun hobby, it is tasty too. Mushroom kits also make great gifts for gardeners and cooks alike.

Cooking with Dried Mushrooms

Many of us live a busy and hectic lifestyle and do not have enough time to devote hours to making a meal. With that being said, many of us that do not like prepared or boxed dinners are always looking for a quicker way to still make a home cooked meal. Along with pre-made salad mix and other fresh ingredients that can come already prepped and cleaned, mushrooms can be purchased dried. Dried mushrooms can be a great convenience when not wanting to spend a majority of the time cleaning and slicing fresh mushrooms. At oakhillmushrooms.com they have many different types of dried mushrooms. Ordering dried mushrooms online can save time and money instead of taking time out to go to the grocery store because they are delivered right to your home. Purchasing dried mushrooms this way is the ultimate in convenience ingredients.

There are many unique ways to use several different types of dried mushrooms in recipes. A wonderful and tasty way to use the dried candy cap mushrooms is to add them in an omelet for breakfast. The flavorful dried candy caps will add sweetness like maple syrup to many types of eggs dishes. Many enjoy using this type of mushroom because of its sweet flavor and aroma.

Using dried porcini mushrooms in a risotto will add an earthy element to the rich creamy taste of this classic Italian dish. Besides incorporating dried mushrooms into risotto, try putting them in your next batch of homemade spaghetti sauce. Using dried mushrooms in Italian dishes gives them a depth of flavor that without these amazing fungi would just be ordinary.

Hot and sour soup is a favorite dish among many that love Asian cuisine. By adding dried shiitake mushrooms in this spicy soup gives it richness in not only taste, but also in texture. Vegans leave out the pork and usually substitute more shiitake mushrooms in its place.

There are numerous ways to use dried mushrooms in dishes. Dried mushrooms can perk up many recipes and the convenience of using dried mushrooms saves time and work. Instead of spending time preparing food, dried mushrooms help cut the time in the kitchen and enable one to spend more time eating their delicious culinary creations.

Mushroom Powders

Almost all cooks have used mushrooms in a dish and enjoy the earthy flavor that they add. Mushrooms can be purchased fresh, dried and even in powder form. Yes, that is right they do come in a powder. Mushroom powder is a great alternative to use in many recipes when fresh or dried mushrooms are not available.

There are so many uses for these mushrooms powders that can enable the cook to use them in innovative ways. One unique way to use mushroom powder is to dredge fish, poultry or meat in it before frying instead of flour. This enhances the flavor of the protein giving a unique twist on an old standard in frying techniques with mushroom spices.

Many cooks find that making stocks can sometimes be time consuming when having to strain the stock through cheesecloth in order to get a more clarified type of stock. By not using dried mushrooms in a mushroom based stock, instead try using mushroom powders instead. This will not only save time from chopping and dicing dried mushrooms, it can cut back on the time from not having to straining the broth. The result will still be a flavorful and aromatic stock without all the fuss.

With many of us in a hurry, we do not have time to cook a meal from scratch and end up cooking pre-made foods. These foods can be boring and bland. Try adding a dash of mushroom powder to a frozen pizza or to canned soups. This will add a much needed depth of flavor that will have your taste buds dancing.

There are many different types of dried mushrooms for sale on oakhillmushrooms.com. The same can be said for the many mushroom spices that are for sale. They carry many of your favorite mushrooms from porcini to chanterelles in powder form. One of the advantages of using mushroom powders is that they have no additives such as salt for instance. Many watching their sodium intake find using mushroom powder on food instead of salt a great tasty alternative. The variety of mushroom spices that can be used in a dish is only limited by the imagination of the cook.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Mushrooms

Have you ever used dried mushrooms to cook with or us as a garnish for the main dish at your dinner party? What about using mushroom powders and spices? Now you have access to dried mushrooms, mushroom powders and spices. Online you can shop from a site that has been growing and researching mushrooms for years but now makes their product and information available to you. You can enjoy access to great recipes using their products that will add a tasty benefit to your dishes or take advantage of great gift ideas for the family chef plus with the use of mushrooms you are adding antioxidants and vitamin D to your daily diet. The health benefits are wonderful and you can enjoy taste with the benefits as opposed to tasteless health benefits.

Take advantage of wonderful prices and the knowledge you need when choosing the mushroom growing kit, spices or mushroom powders, recipes, and different dried mushrooms. Choose from a variety of mushrooms such as the famous shiitake mushroom and the porcini mushroom. In a wide selection of dried mushrooms, mushroom seasonings, and mushroom kits you can find a wonderful educational experience for your family as well as tasty ways to add flavor and vitamins to your meals. Dried mushroom candy caps and other dried mushrooms not only provide wonderful snacks but make great garnishes for dishes rather you are serving a main course in need of a final touch in appearance or an appetizer that could use a face lift. Enjoy knowing that with each purchase you make you are providing taste, vitamins and education to you and your family and friends.

Take advantage of growing your very own mushrooms in your home when you purchase one of the several different mushroom growing kits available on line. Your kids will enjoy taking part in growing the mushrooms and you can enjoy the fact that you are teaching your children the facts on different mushrooms as well as the importance of a healthy diet. Brining mushrooms into your life will improve your meals and your health. Take advantage of the knowledge and study the company has provided to you on line. Enjoy great prices and great gift ideas when you become a regular customer. Now you will be able to enjoy the full benefits of bringing mushrooms to your life from an afternoon snack to seasonings for your dishes.

Mushrooms and More

Mushrooms play an important role in our everyday life, but do you know the extent of that role and how important they are to your body? Whether you are a fan of eating mushrooms or not you can supply your body with the benefits mushrooms offer in several different ways. Growing your own mushrooms and cooking with mushrooms make it possible for you to have the wonderful benefits mushrooms in your diet will bring you and your family. Start taking advantage of the opportunity you have to enjoy the health benefits as well as the added spice that mushrooms can bring to your foods now by shopping online with a California company that has made it a point to bring the mushrooms you need to you in a variety of ways.

You can purchase dried mushrooms, mushroom-growing kits, dried candy cap mushrooms, mushroom spice and much more online and enjoy the convenience of having health delivered to your door stop with a matter of days. You and your family can enjoy family time together when you purchase a mushroom kit to grow your mushrooms right before your eyes! Perhaps you have a chef in the family who understand the value of taste as well as health. With the access you will have to a variety of mushrooms as well as mushroom products you can supply your family chef with the products they need to add taste and health to most meals. Experience the delightful taste that mushroom seasoning can bring to your dish as well at the value of mushrooms antioxidants and vitamin D.

You have at your fingertips access to fresh mushrooms, dried mushrooms, mushroom growing kits, mushroom powders, mushroom recipes as well as books and other merchandise that will educate you on the health value and improved tastes to your meals that mushrooms offer. Serving restaurants, local farms, educational purposes as well as just a house hold desire, this family owned company takes pride in delivering you the best mushrooms available no matter what time of mushroom you are searching. Dried, fresh, powdered, recipes or mushroom growing kits can be found at one dependable site where the people have the knowledge you need to bring the health and flavor benefits you need to your everyday life. Take advantage of the regular low prices as well as monthly specials when you search their website for the perfect mushroom. You will even have the opportunity to contact them with questions you may have on incorporating mushrooms into your daily diet.

4 Awesome Vegetarian Recipes with Mushrooms

There's a good reason that mushrooms are called "meat for vegetarians." They are an excellent meat substitute, both in flavor and texture, as well as nutritionally. They are one of the most significant sources of iron apart from red meat, and also contan more vitamin B12 than most vegetables. You can usually substitute dried mushrooms or fresh mushrooms for meat in your recipes, but they are always better when they are specifically designed to team up with other ingredients. So today we bring you 4 of our favorite vegetarian recipes using fresh or dried mushrooms!

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

This is a very quick recipe -- only ten minutes to prepare, and around 20 to cook, and perfect as either a side dish or a main for a family of vegetarians. It specifies button mushrooms, but you can use any type that you like. Button mushrooms tend not to be very strongly flavored, so look away from the shiitake dried mushrooms, and towards varieties like dried candy cap mushrooms.

Mushroom, Noodle and Peanut Stir Fry

Another great all-rounder. You can add as many different veggies as you like, and if you want you can cook everything but the mushrooms, split the dish into two, and use mushrooms in half and meat in the other half. Put a bit extra kecap manis in if you’re increasing the vegetables.

Mushroom Rice Crusted Pie

Om nom nom nom! The blandness of the rice and pumpkin mean this is a great dish to try out strnger tasting mushrooms like dried porcini mushrooms.

Mushroom, Tomato and Cheese Pasta Bake

This dish is a great way to introduce kids to mushrooms -- it has many flavors that they are already familiar with, and the mushroom-y flavor and texture can be toned down, or partially replaced by minced meat. It takes a while to cook, but that combination of dried pearl oyster mushrooms, bocconcini cheese and parmesan is just divine!

A Guide to Common Cooking Mushrooms

You might think that you love mushrooms … but how many varieties have you actually tasted? There are dozens of edible varieties of mushrooms besides white button or cup mushrooms, all of them suitable for growing yourself in a mushroom growing kit, or purchasing as either fresh or dried mushrooms. Today we are reviewing the common varieties of edible mushrooms -- ones that you are likely to find in the supermarket.

Button Mushrooms

Most people who eat mushrooms start out on these babies -- the less mature version of cup mushrooms. Button mushrooms are sometimes called champignons, and you won’t be able to see any of the brown gills around the stem. Their flavor intensifies when they are cooked, and they are a great addition to salads.

Porcini mushrooms

One of the more common of the exotic varieties, porcini mushrooms can be bought both fresh and as dried mushrooms. Some areas in America grow them, but they are traditionally harvested in Europe in autumn. You can add the dried variety to casseroles and stews at the start of the cooking process, or soak them for fifteen minuts in water and use as you would fresh mushrooms.

Swiss brown mushrooms

These mushrooms are closely related to white agaricus, but have a tan brown cap and a more leathery skin. They are drier and more flavorful -- that's why people generally don't start out on them. They are commonly used in antipasto.

Portabello mushrooms

Because of the similar names, these mushrooms can be confused with porcini dried mushrooms. However, these are usually available fresh year-round -- they are Swiss browns that have been left to grow out and expose their gills. They are great as a meat substitute, because they are so big and chunky.

How to Prepare Your Own Mushroom Powder

If you've discovered the joy of having your own mushroom growing kit at home, you have probably also discovered that as much as you love edible fungi, there is definitely a limit to the number of meals per week you can use them in! Mushroom milkshakes will never be on the Jamie Oliver top recipe list … and one solution to the boom-or-bust type experience of owning a mushroom growing kit is to make your ownmushroom powder for later use. Today we are looking at a couple of different methods for doing so, as well as some general tips for the process.

The Dry-and-Process Method

One of the simplest and easiest ways to make your own mushroom powder is the dry-and-process method. Simply cut your mushrooms into fine slices and pop in the oven on low heat on cookie sheets until they are crispy and dry. Alternatively, you can leave your oven just on the pilot light overnight, and check your mushrooms in the morning. If there is little heat in the oven, there is almost no chance of overcooking.

Simply process the slices to a fine powder with a standard or handheld blender, and store in spice jars.

A word of warning - some people believe that this method isn’t as cost effective as simply buying mushroom powder from online stores. If you have spare fungi from a mushroom growing kit that are going to waste, though, it is better than nothing!

The Gourmet Method

You'll need the following extra spices to make the gourmet version of mushroom powder. This can be added to stews and sauces just before serving, and keeps in the cupboard. Add the following to a pound of fresh mushrooms:

• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp mace (outside of nutmeg)
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 2 tsp onion powder

Wash your mushrooms and pop them in a stewing pan alongside all the other ingredients, until all the excess liquid has dried up, shaking and stirring constantly to prevent burning. Put them in the oven at 225F until the mushrooms have completely dried up. Run them through a food processor or blender to make mushroom powder, rather than mushroom chunks.

General Tips

If your mushroom mix becomes difficult to blend, you can try any of the following methods instead:

• Using a coffee grinder
• Using a spice grinder
• Grind with a mortar and pestle

How to Recognize Edible Mushroom Species

In this busy, highly civilized world, there are few natural pleasures left to most of us. Growing or finding your own food is one of these that is increasingly scarce -- but can bring you a real sense of joy! Mushrooms are incredibly easy to both grow, using a mushroom grow kit, and also to find in the woods. Mushroom foraging is fraught with potential danger though -- today we are looking at how to separate the edible from the poisonous species, and enjoy your natural food without adverse health effects!

The Most Important Species

The most important species of mushroom to be able to identify is the Death Cap mushroom, or Amanita Phalloides. This species is responsible for 90% of all deaths from fungal poisoning worldwide, and can be found even in areas it is not native to.

A. Phalloides:

• Has an olive green to light green cap
• Has a white cap in its button stage and looks quite similar to cup mushrooms at this time
• Has a veil tissue covering the gills in immature specimens
• Has a white stalk up to 15 cm tall
• Has a large, rounded bulb at the base of the stalk. You will have to actually dig the mushroom up in most cases to find this bulb. This is a positive ID for button stage mushrooms.

Local edible species

You will likely have a plant and animal control board, or a poisons information center that relates specifically to your local area. Contact both of these for information on species found in your local area that are both poisonous and edible. Sometimes local authorities offer a mushroom identification service for a small fee, which can be very much worthwhile.

Simplest Method for Recognizing Edible Species

Unfortunately, you have to cheat a bit for this one … the simplest method is actually to grow your own! If you use a mushroom growing kit you can be sure that you are actually eating the species you think you are. You know there has been no heavy metal or toxin accumulation, and also that no pesticides or herbicide residue will be on the mushroom (providing you haven’t used any, of course).