Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
Dried shiitakes work well in soups, stir fries, or can even be thrown on pizza. You can dry shiitakes (or any other type of mushroom) at home without a dehydrator.
Materials
- Fresh shiitake mushrooms or other type of mushroom
Instructions
- Wipe any dirt off the shiitakes with a damp cloth.
- Cut the woody stems off each shiitake. The stems can be saved for stock or soup. Slice each shiitake cap into ¼ inch slices.
- Arrange the slices on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Do not overlap the slices. Place the pans in the oven and prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon to let moisture escape.
- Set your oven to its lowest possible temperature. Most ovens will go as low as 170o F, in which case it will take 2-3 hours to dry. Check the shiitakes every 30-45 minutes after the first hour.
- Remove the shiitakes when they are totally dry to the touch and no more steam is escaping the oven. Dried shiitakes can be stored in a jar or other airtight container for up to one year.
Notes
- Normally I'm a proponent of washing mushrooms, but in this case, we don't want to prolong our already long drying process by introducing extra water.
- To rehydrate dried shiitake slices, soak in hot water for 15-20 minutes. Drain and cook as usual.