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