The appeal and uses of shimeji mushrooms: Introducing the secret to their deliciousness and a variety of recipes!

What kind of mushroom is shimeji?

Shimeji mushrooms are an essential part of the Japanese diet, but there's a surprising truth hidden about the "shimeji" sold on the market. What many people refer to as "real shimeji" is actually not wild shimeji, but a cultivated variety of other mushrooms. Wild shimeji are a rare species that grow naturally in scrub forests of broadleaf trees, and due to their rarity, they are often only found in high-end restaurants. These wild shimeji have small, dark caps, short stems, and a moist texture. On the other hand, commercially available cultivated shimeji have light brown caps, are uniform in size, and have a dry texture

Nutritional and health benefits of shimeji mushrooms

Shimeji mushrooms are known for being a low-calorie food with very little calories, yet highly nutritious. They are particularly rich in amino acids, which gives them a strong umami flavor. These components add depth and flavor to various dishes made with shimeji mushrooms

Recipe ideas using shimeji mushrooms

Shimeji mushrooms are suitable for a variety of dishes, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine. Here we will introduce some easy and delicious recipes that use shimeji mushrooms

Marinated Shimeji Mushrooms: A perfect recipe for keeping on hand

Shimeji mushrooms enrich the Japanese dining table with their unique texture and flavor. This time, we'll introduce a simple and delicious marinade recipe using shimeji mushrooms. This recipe uses fresh shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, bell peppers, and other vegetables in addition to shimeji mushrooms, and is finished with a refreshing white wine. It's a great side dish to keep on hand and will add color to your daily meals

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Shimeji mushrooms: 1 pack
• Fresh shiitake mushrooms: 6 pieces
• Enoki mushrooms: 1 pack
• 2 red bell peppers
• 2-3 thin green onions
• White wine: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: a little

How to make it

1. Preparation
   : Remove the stems from the shimeji mushrooms and separate them. Remove the stems from the fresh shiitake mushrooms and cut them into ginkgo-style slices. Cut off the base of the enoki mushrooms and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and stems from the bell peppers and cut them into 5-6mm wide pieces.
2. the
   prepared ingredients in a heat-resistant container, add white wine and a little salt, mix, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave (600W) for 3 minutes.
3. marinade
   by mixing vinegar, sake, soy sauce, and mirin.
4. marinade
   to the microwaved ingredients and mix well. Chill in the refrigerator and finish by mixing in thinly sliced ​​green onions. You can also garnish with thin slices of lemon to taste.

This shimeji mushroom marinade has a light and refreshing taste. It's convenient as a side dish and can be used as an accent for various main dishes. Please try incorporating it into your daily meals