The oyster mushroom is often called the queen of mushrooms. Why? It is genuinely good for our bodies and offers plenty of benefits. What are they, and what can you cook with it?
Table of contents
Why are oyster mushrooms so popular?
Above all, they are a source of several important substances that improve health and increase resistance to viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases. Eating them is therefore recommended mainly in the autumn months, when there is less sunshine and we are more prone to illness. Apart from using them in the kitchen, you can also take them in tablet form as prevention at any time of the year.
Important substances found in oyster mushrooms include:
- amino acids,
- proteins,
- fibre,
- vitamins B, C, D and K,
- iron,
- zinc,
- potassium,
- sodium,
- phosphorus,
- selenium,
- boron,
- iodine,
- pleuran.
Thanks to these, your body will be able to fight off illness, you will feel more alert and energetic, you will cope better with stressful situations, and your joints and tendons will stay healthy.
Oyster mushrooms are also a tasty delicacy that you can cook, dry or use raw, for example in salads. Bear in mind, however, that cooking destroys most of their vitamins, so it is worth drying them and adding them to dishes as a seasoning. You can find them in supermarkets or in the woods, where they grow on the trunks of deciduous trees (poplars, willows, beeches and walnut trees) in the autumn and winter months. You can also grow them at home.
Oyster mushroom recipes
Let’s move to the kitchen. We have 10 recipes starring oyster mushrooms, so there is sure to be something for everyone. Would you like soup, a sauce or spaghetti?
1. Oyster mushroom soup
You will need:
- 300 g oyster mushrooms,
- Oil,
- A small carrot,
- A small parsley root,
- 200 g celeriac,
- 2 garlic cloves,
- Roux,
- A vegetable stock cube,
- A pinch of pepper,
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds,
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram,
- A teaspoon of sweet paprika,
- A handful of green peppercorns.
Method:
- Put the oyster mushrooms, cut into strips, in a litre of water and bring to the boil.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the diced vegetables, then sprinkle them with paprika and add the crushed garlic.
- Add the pepper, caraway seeds, marjoram and vegetable stock to the water in which the mushrooms are cooking.
- Add the fried vegetables and a roux made from oil and flour, and simmer until thickened.
- Finally, add parsley to the pot, stir and serve.
- Enjoy!
2. Oyster mushroom risotto
You will need:
- 200 g rice (short-grain or arborio),
- 250 g oyster mushrooms,
- 100 g fresh baby spinach (or frozen leaves),
- 500 ml vegetable stock,
- 100 ml white wine,
- 2 shallots (or small onions),
- 2 tablespoons ghee,
- 75 g Parmesan,
- salt and pepper.
Method:
- Start by melting two tablespoons of ghee in a pot and frying the shallots in it.
- Chop the oyster mushrooms and add them to the pot together with the spinach. After stirring for a while, add the rice, pour in the wine and let it simmer for a short time, stirring occasionally.
- Once the wine has evaporated, pour in the stock, cover with a lid and let it bubble for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stir and serve with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan.
- Enjoy!
3. Spaghetti with oyster mushrooms
You will need:
- 300 g spaghetti,
- 350 g oyster mushrooms,
- 30 g Parmesan,
- 6 garlic cloves,
- 100 ml olive oil,
- a handful of fresh basil,
- pepper and salt,
- chilli.
Method:
- Put the pasta into boiling salted water and cook according to the packet instructions.
- Clean the oyster mushrooms and cut them into strips.
- Slice the garlic thinly and put it in a frying pan with the oil.
- When it starts to turn lightly golden, add the mushrooms, salt, pepper and chilli and fry.
- Add the basil, mix with the spaghetti and sprinkle with cheese.
- Enjoy!
4. Pasta with oyster mushrooms and bacon
You will need:
- pasta,
- bacon,
- oyster mushrooms,
- spring onions,
- 1 pot of sour cream,
- blue cheese,
- basil.
Method:
- Put the pasta into boiling salted water and cook according to the packet instructions.
- Fry the bacon and spring onions in butter.
- Add the oyster mushrooms, torn into pieces, and fry for a while.
- Pour the sour cream mixed with grated blue cheese into the pan.
- Mix the sauce with the pasta and garnish with basil.
- Enjoy!
5. Buckwheat with oyster mushrooms
You will need:
- 100 g buckwheat,
- 300 g oyster mushrooms,
- 2 shallots,
- 2 garlic cloves,
- 1 tablespoon plain spelt flour,
- mushroom seasoning,
- stock,
- oil,
- salt and pepper,
- leek.
Method:
- Rinse the buckwheat, cover it with stock to the brim and add the garlic. Cook according to the instructions.
- Cut the oyster mushrooms into strips and chop the shallots finely.
- Fry the shallots in a frying pan, then add the mushrooms and seasoning and dust with flour.
- Season with salt and pepper and combine with the buckwheat.
- Garnish with chopped leek.
- Enjoy!
6. Quick oyster mushroom pizza
You will need:
- pizza dough/puff pastry (if you don’t want to make your own dough),
- 250 g oyster mushrooms,
- 200 g roast chicken,
- tinned tomatoes/ketchup,
- cheese,
- pepper,
- thyme,
- oregano.
Method:
- Boil the oyster mushrooms and cut them into strips.
- Unroll the dough, spread it with tinned tomatoes or ketchup, top with the mushrooms and chicken, sprinkle with the herbs and cover with cheese.
- Bake in the oven according to the instructions on the dough packet, usually 20 to 25 minutes at 200 °C.
- Enjoy!
7. Oyster mushroom schnitzels
You will need:
- 150 g oyster mushrooms,
- 50 g breadcrumbs,
- 2 eggs,
- salt and pepper,
- oil.
Method:
- Heat the oil in a frying pan.
- Wash the oyster mushrooms, dip the caps in egg with a little salt and pepper, then coat them in breadcrumbs.
- Fry in the pan until golden, then turn over.
- Enjoy!
💡 Tip: If you want a healthier version, bake them in the oven instead of frying. Keep the method the same, just bake the schnitzels in the oven for 40 minutes at 170 to 180 °C.
8. Roasted oyster mushrooms with a side dish
You will need:
- 500 g oyster mushrooms,
- 2 garlic cloves,
- an onion,
- olive oil,
- butter,
- rosemary, thyme, marjoram or sage,
- salt and pepper.
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
- Clean the oyster mushrooms and cut the larger caps into smaller pieces.
- Put the mushrooms, garlic cloves, chopped onion, oil, butter, rosemary and sage on a baking tray.
- Season everything with salt and pepper and mix.
- Roast in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Serve the roasted mushrooms with any side dish you like, such as rice, potatoes, chips or mashed potatoes.
- Enjoy!
9. Chinese noodles with oyster mushrooms
You will need:
- Chinese noodles (any type you like),
- 70 g sun-dried tomatoes,
- an onion,
- 2 celery sticks,
- chilli,
- 3 garlic cloves,
- 400 g oyster mushrooms,
- 4 tablespoons sesame oil,
- 1/2 teaspoon gingerbread spice,
- 5 tablespoons soy sauce,
- a tablespoon of cane sugar,
- 250 g tinned tomatoes,
- spring onions,
- a tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds,
- salt.
Method:
- Put the sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and pour 200 ml of hot water over them.
- Peel and roughly chop the onion, slice the celery and garlic, and cut the mushroom caps into pieces.
- Heat the oil in a wok and fry the onion for 2 minutes.
- Add the celery and fry until golden, add chilli powder or a fresh chilli, add the garlic and mushrooms, stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes and stir in the gingerbread spice.
- At this stage, put the noodles on to cook, as they usually take less than 5 minutes.
- Now use the water from the sun-dried tomatoes to pour over the mixture. Add the soy sauce, the sun-dried tomatoes and the sugar and simmer briefly.
- All that is left now is the tinned tomatoes, the cooked noodles and the chopped spring onions.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
- Enjoy!
10. Oyster mushroom salad
You will need:
- 500 g oyster mushrooms,
- 2 celery sticks,
- a carrot,
- a shallot,
- thyme,
- basil,
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar,
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil,
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice,
- salt and freshly ground pepper.
Method:
- Wash the oyster mushrooms, cut them into strips, add the celery and grate the carrot into thin slices.
- Fry the onion in oil until golden and stir it into the vegetables.
- Add the thyme and basil and prepare the dressing.
- Mix the balsamic vinegar with the olive oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and serve.
- Enjoy!
Conclusion
Oyster mushrooms can be used in any season and will always be the right choice for your health. Choose from these ten delicious recipes and make them at home. They won’t take up much of your time.
