How to Reconstitute Dried Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms work well in many recipes, especially those with seafood.

Oyster mushrooms resemble oysters not only in flavor but also somewhat in appearance. The combination of their smooth and silky texture, their subtle yet rich flavor and the fact that they can be grown commercially makes them a common offering in stores and a popular addition to many dishes. You can also purchase dried oyster mushrooms or dehydrate your own if you will not use them within a few days. Reconstituted dried mushrooms lose their original texture, but their flavor remains relatively intact.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl

Instructions

1. Place the dried oyster mushrooms in a bowl that is large enough to comfortably hold all of them with plenty of space left over.

2. Pour enough hot (but not boiling) water into your bowl to cover all of the oyster mushrooms.

3. Leave the oyster mushrooms alone for approximately 30 minutes. At the end of this time, they will be reconstituted and you may use them in your recipe.

Tips & Warnings

• If your recipe contains plenty of moisture, such as a soup or stew, you can simply add the dehydrated oyster mushrooms 10 to 20 minutes before the dish will be ready without reconstituting them first.

References

• The Cook's Thesaurus: Mushrooms
• Mycological Society of San Francisco: Oyster Mushroom

Resources

• Oyster Mushrooms: Oyster Mushroom Recipes