Champignons are a universally recognized delicacy. All thanks to the pleasant taste and aroma, which can be preserved during any culinary processing.
Composition and beneficial substances of mushrooms
Champignons are a storehouse of protein, vitamins, and various microelements. Some amino acids included in their composition are essential, i.e. they are not synthesized in the human body and can only be obtained from food.
The product is often used in vegetarian cuisine because... 100 g of champignons contain only 27 kcal. At the same time, the presence of a large amount of vegetable protein in the mushroom pulp guarantees a feeling of satiety.
Proponents of a salt-free diet use champignons in many of their recipes.
Preparing champignons for freezing
Champignons are a universal delicacy that adds variety to both everyday and holiday menus. Often, ingredients bought in reserve do not immediately reach the table. Freezing champignons for the winter
– one of the main ways to prolong the freshness of champignons. Of course, mushrooms must be prepared before freezing.
How to choose the right raw mushrooms
The champignons need to be sorted and sorted by size and quality. Mushrooms from the store, as a rule, are already sorted, but those purchased at the market need to be inspected.
Fruit bodies of the same size are frozen. Choose the lightest ones, without dark spots and dents.
You should not try to freeze limp or stale champignons - low temperatures cannot improve their appearance.
Do I need to wash champignons before freezing?
Mushrooms collected in the forest are cleaned of debris and soil with a brush and wiped with a damp cloth. Store-bought copies are washed in running water, blotted with a paper towel and dried.
Champignons do not like water treatments, because they themselves consist of 90% water and its excess will lead to swelling. Therefore, mushrooms are not washed once again before freezing.
Preparing containers
The main condition for high-quality freezing is a reasonable serving size and sealed packaging.
The following options are suitable for freezing:
- dense bags with zippers;
- soft plastic containers;
- disposable cups or sour cream jars.
Conscientious housewives do not forget to put a sticker on the container containing the freezing date.
Beneficial features
These mushrooms are a universally recognized delicacy for their pleasant taste and delicate aroma, which is preserved during any culinary processing. Even if fresh sliced champignons are frozen, this will not reduce their taste. They are a storehouse of protein, vitamins and microelements: zinc, potassium, iron, phosphorus, and also contain 18 types of amino acids. By the way. Many of the amino acids that make up champignons are classified as essential - they are not synthesized in the human body, but come exclusively from food.
They consist of 90% water, the calorie content per 100 g does not exceed 27 kcal, for which this product is valued in vegetarian cuisine and dietary nutrition, especially with a salt-free diet.
- lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels;
- improve memory and mental abilities of a person;
- strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to diseases;
- reduce weight and improve metabolism;
- treat migraines and headache attacks;
- Oil extract heals wounds well, treats psoriasis and other skin defects.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
The presence of a large amount of vegetable protein in the pulp of the mushroom allows the feeling of fullness to be compared to champignons with meat. This is possible due to the fact that the percentage of protein in mushrooms is much higher than its content in meat and chicken eggs. By promoting quick saturation, champignons prevent weight gain. This property allows them to be used in various types of diets. Because Since mushrooms have the ability to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, champignons will be indispensable in the diet of people suffering from atherosclerosis (the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessels), as well as those at risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks.
You can also freeze fresh champignons at home. Freezing champignons is one of the most popular ways to prolong their freshness and use throughout the winter.
Freezing methods
There are several ways to freeze champignons:
- whole;
- cut into pieces;
- boiled;
- fried.
The main thing is to decide in what cases the freezing of champignons
. For example, it makes no sense to freeze whole mushrooms if your family loves soups and stews.
Freezing whole champignons
Housewives are concerned whether fresh champignons can be frozen.
Certainly! Moreover, this is the simplest and most gentle method - all the nutrients in the mushrooms are preserved in the best possible way. True, a lot of additional space will be required, so this method is often used on an industrial scale.
It is not large young mushrooms that are frozen entirely. Otherwise, it will be difficult to place them compactly. Select specimens in which the film under the cap is preserved.
Mushrooms are thoroughly washed and dried. The surface on which freezing will be carried out is wrapped with plastic film. Mushrooms should be placed at a distance from each other. They are left in the freezer for 3 days.
Frozen champignons are placed in sealed containers for freezing. The air is pre-released.
Freezing chopped champignons
Freezing champignons at home
pieces will save time. This method will save valuable space in the freezer. Sliced mushrooms are added to soups and potatoes.
Small specimens are cut into plates (slices) 3-5 mm thick. Large champignons are cut into cubes and quarters. Lay out on the surface and put in the freezer for 4-5 hours. This is much faster than freezing whole mushrooms. Afterwards, the champignons are transferred into portion bags.
Freezing boiled mushrooms
Housewives love the method of freezing boiled champignons because the mushrooms can be arranged more compactly.
Boil mushrooms cut into large pieces for 10 minutes. Salt or pepper is not recommended. After cooking, the champignons are drained in a colander. After drying, the mushrooms are placed in containers and sent to the freezer.
Thrifty housewives thought of using disposable cups pre-wrapped in cling film as storage containers.
Freezing fried mushrooms
Fried mushroom semi-finished products are good for preparing main courses. Washed and chopped champignons are fried in refined oil until excess liquid evaporates. No seasonings are added - in this case, the champignons retain their fresh aroma as much as possible.
Place the cooled mushrooms on a towel to dry. Then divide into portions and place in the freezer in a special container.
Freezing baked mushrooms
Baked champignons are useful for dietary nutrition. They prepare like this:
- Sprinkle 1 kg of small mushrooms with spices, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, stir;
- place on a baking sheet;
- bake for 15 minutes in an oven preheated to 200°C;
- cool;
- package into bags;
- to freeze.
As a result, in winter you always have a great snack on hand!
How to choose and prepare raw mushrooms
There are several types of champignons. Everything can be frozen. We give preference to small and light mushrooms with pink plates under the cap. Large field specimens are valued the least. There are dark plates under the cap, which often require trimming; this requires additional time and effort, and increases losses.
Good champignon:
- diameter up to 5 cm;
- closed cap;
- White color;
- no stains, dents.
Bad champignon:
- large size;
- inverted, open cap;
- wrinkled skin;
- dark plates.
Which champignons do you like best?
FrozenCanned
There are brown or golden varieties. They can also be frozen. We choose the densest, highest quality mushrooms.
Preparation instructions:
- Sorting. It is better to freeze small specimens whole; set aside large champignons separately for slicing.
- Washing. It is better to wash under running water. Do not soak; the product will absorb a lot of moisture.
- Removing damage. We cut off random stains, dents, and renew the leg.
- Drying. Simply place on paper towels. It is not necessary to dry it before cooking.
- Slicing. Produced as needed. Small champignons are often left whole. It is allowed to freeze thin plates - slices. Large mushrooms are cut into arbitrary pieces.
Champignons can be frozen whole, in pieces, raw, boiled, or fried. We recommend using small fresh mushrooms. Shelf life up to 12 months.
Defrosting rules
Proper defrosting involves several steps:
- The day before use, the mushrooms are moved from the freezer to the refrigerator shelf.
- Leave for several hours so that the mushrooms thaw gradually.
- Together with the packaging bag, transfer to a container and leave at room temperature.
Defrosting champignons in water is not allowed. You should also calculate the portions - mushrooms are not re-frozen.
Why did the champignons turn dark?
You should know how to store fresh champignons in the freezer
, because they may lose their attractive appearance. The reasons are:
- spoiled or aged mushrooms;
- insufficient treatment against contamination;
- non-compliance with temperature conditions;
- violation of the tightness of the container;
- re-freezing.
If the mushrooms do not have an unpleasant odor, there are not many darkened areas - you can try to save them: cut out the questionable areas, boil them and use them in the desired dish.
Alternative to a refrigerator
Cellar
Storing mushrooms in the cellar
Long before the advent of the refrigerator, the main way to preserve food in the cold was the cellar.
You can also store mushrooms in the cellar, raw or already cooked, using any suitable container - wooden or plastic boxes, glass jars or plastic bags.
During storage, it is necessary to periodically check the safety of the product and ventilate the container in which it is located, especially if these are plastic bags. If this is not done, the mushrooms may turn black and become moldy. The shelf life of fresh mushrooms kept in the cellar in glass or enamel containers is up to 3 days.
Drying
Drying mushrooms
Drying forest products is one of the most ancient forms of preserving them for future use. And one of the simplest, as it does not require any special equipment or a lot of effort. Before the drying process, the mushrooms are cleaned of dirt and forest debris and wiped with a dry cloth. They are then sorted, removing damaged or rotten specimens. There are several ways to dry mushrooms:
- On a flat surface - the fruiting bodies are laid out in one layer in a well-ventilated and shaded place and kept there until completely dry. You can, before doing this, cut them into pieces. Periodically they need to be tossed and turned over so that they dry evenly.
- On a string - the fruiting bodies are strung on a thread so that they do not touch each other, hung in a cool and shaded place and kept there until completely dry.
- In the oven - the fruiting bodies are placed on a baking sheet in the oven and dried at a temperature of 180 degrees. and the door ajar.
When dried, mushrooms noticeably decrease in size and change their color and consistency.
It is better to store dried forest gifts in paper bags or fabric bags - they are usually hung in a dark, dry and well-ventilated place. You can use glass jars for storage, the main thing is to periodically ventilate their contents.
If storage rules are followed, the shelf life of dried mushrooms is 12 months.
Quick salting
Fresh mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week if they are express-salted. To do this, pour a layer of salt onto the bottom of an enamel container, then lay out a layer of mushrooms, cover them again with salt, etc.
Among man's electrical friends, the refrigerator perhaps occupies a special place. Larger than, for example, a light bulb. Because you can live without light, but you can’t live without food. It also helps selfless lovers of quiet hunting to keep its tasty and healthy trophies intact. Therefore, it is always useful for any mushroom picker to have information about the shelf life of different types and types of mushrooms in the refrigerator.
What can you cook from frozen mushrooms?
Ways to freeze champignon mushrooms
there are quite a few options, and there are even more options for frozen mushroom dishes! For example:
- whole raw mushrooms are stuffed, baked with potatoes, large pieces of meat or poultry;
- universal frozen pieces are used in soups, stews, added to meat and vegetable fillings;
- boiled champignons are a popular addition to salads and cereal side dishes;
- fried frozen food finds its application in cold appetizers, sandwiches, and salads.
Should I defrost before cooking?
This is necessary to remove excess moisture that will spoil the dishes. Defrost at low temperature. It is best to place the container on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. A more emergency method is allowed - immerse the container in cold water.
If the product is added to stews, porridge, or soup, it is not necessary to defrost. You just need to reduce the amount of water . Because frozen foods have a high liquid content.
Other ways to store champignons
If the mushrooms will be useful in the coming days, you should not freeze them.
How to store fresh champignons in the refrigerator
Unwashed mushrooms in an open container are stored on the middle shelf of the refrigerator for about three days.
In a plastic bag, if aired daily, the mushrooms will last a little longer - about 5 days.
Particularly careful housewives store forest gifts in a fabric bag in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. The fabric is first soaked in a saline solution and dried. This trick will protect the champignons from the accumulation of excess moisture inside the bag.
How to store champignons for sale
For those who grow mushrooms for sale, there are special standards. Champignons are stored in cardboard boxes, and immediately before sale they are transferred to consumer containers. Date marking is required!
Mushrooms are stored in industrial refrigerators at a temperature of 2°C for 5 days.
How long to store in the freezer
Depending on the method of freezing mushrooms, their storage period also differs. So, raw champignons last the longest in the refrigerator. Their freezing period is one year.
Fried champignons are the least susceptible to storage; they can be kept in the refrigerator for no more than 4 months. Boiled preparations can be stored frozen for six months. In this case, the storage temperature should be -18…-16°C.
We recommend that you read our electronic magazine about growing mushrooms at home.
