Lion’s mane mushrooms have been used for over 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the rest of the world began to catch up with commercial farms to reap the health benefits. But did you know that lion’s mane is also great for cooking?
This gourmet mushroom not only is great for your body, but it’s a delicious addition to your meals that will leave you wanting to incorporate them more.
In this article, we've compiled some of the top lion's mane recipes to try this week, along with some tips on how to buy, store, and prepare lion's mane mushrooms!
Happy cooking!
Are you ready to try out lion’s mane in your next meal? Lion’s mane has a great texture for a meat substitute, making it perfect for vegans and vegetarians. Many people love using lion's mane as a crab substitute. Yes, that's right! Even seafood can be replaced with lions mane.
We’ve compiled a list of tasty recipes that you can whip up in your kitchen with ease and impress your friends and family.
Taco Tuesday has a new taco in town to add to your wheel of favorites. This 100% vegan recipe requires a handful of spices and ingredients that are probably already in your fridge. And if you like them spicy, add a bit of sriracha for an extra kick of flavor. Try it here.
Another vegan recipe, this dish will make you forget that you’re eating mushrooms. The tender texture mimics seafood and doesn’t require much preparation. You can create the dressing while your mushrooms are searing. Try it here.
If you’re craving a creamy and warm fall recipe, look no further. Butternut squash is a great alternative to your typical pasta, and this buttery dish will fill your tastebuds with flavor. This pasta is simple to make, and the rosemary adds a unique tint to the dish. Try it here.
For a spicier night, this recipe is a great option. The mushrooms are coated in a thin batter of flour and spices and speared onto a skewer, resulting in a crispy dish that very closely resembles meat. Try it here.
A non-vegan recipe that can easily be made vegan, these mouthwatering sandwiches can be made in a snap with just four ingredients: lion’s mane, butter, salt, and pepper. And if you smoke them with other veggies you’re bound to get an even more delicious ‘wich. Try it here.
That's right, you can even use lion's mane as a steak substitute. If it's a savory grilled and smokey flavor you're after, this recipe is for you. BBQ seasoning takes this meaty mushroom to the next level. Plus fresh sage and onion flavor make sure you're not missing any beef. Check it out here.
Perhaps one of the most classic uses of gourmet lion's mane: crab cake. If you're a crab-cake lover, this is absolutely the recipe for you. It brings together all the flavor of a crab cake without any of the crab. Plus, this is an easy recipe for beginners looking to impress your vegetarian friends. Give it a try here!
Lion's mane makes an incredible side dish, as well. And there's no recipe needed. Simply slice your mushrooms into whatever thickness you like. Then, sauté in a pan over medium-high heat with a pad of butter, a dash of oil, and salt & pepper to taste.
Let them sit for a while in the hot pan so they get nice and crispy on both sides. In other words, don't stir them TOO much.
And that's all!
Want to take it up a notch? Try adding a bit of garlic or fresh herbs like thyme for even more excitement. And why stop there? Sprinkle with parmesan for a mind-blowing side dish that will convert any mushroom-hater to a mushroom-lover. (Trust us. We recently converted a friend with this simple side dish!)
Lion’s mane is a superhero of a mushroom. It grows long spindly arms like soggy icicles that hang like a lion’s mane, making it easy to spot in the wild. If you’re a forager though you need to be careful, especially in Europe where it’s endangered. It’s much more common in North America and Asia.
By consuming lion’s mane and adding it to your diet, you’ll experience a multitude of benefits for both your brain and your body:
Mushrooms are a staple in many cuisines, making them fairly easy to experiment with. Their texture makes them a great substitute for crab meat and can be enjoyed with several meat and vegetable parings.
If you’re looking for some lion’s mane for your next meal, there are a few places you can look:
Mushrooms are much more popular in other countries than they are in the United States, so finding a specific mushroom like lion’s many may take a little bit of work.
Fresh lion's mane will be ivory in color. It will be bouncy to the touch. And the exterior toothy 'mane' texture will be clearly visible, and not smooshed together.
You'll know your lion's mane mushrooms are going bad if they appear to have a darkened color. Beware of any dissolving pieces or degradation. This is an indication that your mushrooms are starting to rot. (Yes, even fungi can get fungi!) A very small amount of scarring isn't a concern, especially if you plan to use them the same day. Even bruised fruit is safe to eat!
But be wary of any sliminess, odor, or obvious signs of mold.
You'll also want to take a look at the sourcing details.
While mushrooms from China are generally considered safe, it's important to understand where your mushrooms have been sourced from. Mushrooms from other countries have likely been sitting in shipping containers or trucks for a few days. Sometimes, even a week or more. That means, they're likely to turn faster than those sourced and delivered in your same state.
Understanding the sourcing details may help you understand how long they'll last at home.
We've compiled a complete guide to buying fresh mushrooms at the market here.
Now that you have your fresh lion's mane, how do you store it to keep it fresh? Here are a few lion's mane storage tips:
Yes! Depending on the cut you receive, you may see a bit of stem where the mushroom met the substrate it was grown on. Fear not! This is safe to eat. And fear not, lion's mane is not psychedelic!
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Happy mushrooming!