How can I dry Porcini mushrooms?
There are many ways to dry Porcini mushrooms, a process that retains their nutrients and allows them to maintain much longer than when they are fresh. First, it is important to clean properly and cut them into smaller pieces if they are large. One of the simplest ways to dry Porcini fungi is to leave them in a room where it circulates warm dry air, although it may not work in very humid conditions. Another method is the use of the oven at low thermal adjustment. The last way is to use a food dehydator that can be purchased in a number of retail stores that sell small household appliances.
Porcini mushrooms to be dried should be fresh, with a solid texture and without a signs of slim or mold. They should be cleaned with a damp cloth or paper towel, as their immersion in the water increases the moisture content and makes it difficult to dry. If fresh mushrooms are very large, they can be chopped or chopped because smaller pieces of the future time to dry out.
One of the very simple ways to dry the mushrooms of Porcini is to leave them on a paper towel or paper plate and let the air in the room dried. This method works best with smaller whole mushrooms or slices. The mushrooms will take several days and dry for a week and should be regularly checked for any signs of mold or rotten stains. A room with warm air, low humidity and adequate circulation is the best place to dry Porcinis. Their placement next to the sunny window is also a good way to speed up the process.
If air drying is not feasible, there is another way to dry the porcini mushrooms in the oven. It is best to place them on a stand over a baking tray so that the air can circulate on all sides of the mushroom. The oven temperature should be at low heat settings when the door remains slightly open to allow air flow and help prevent mushroomof it. The convective oven can also work well for this purpose because it naturally circulates air. The mushrooms will take several hours to dry the oven method, and should be very fragile and disintegrated easily when they are fully dried. If any moisture remains, it can promote mold and bacteria growth and mushrooms will not be applicable.
Using a dehydrator of food is another simple way to dry the mushrooms of Porcini. Many of these appliances have several stands that allow for drying more foods in one dose. They can be expensive, but can save money in the long run because they help keep mushrooms before they spoil. Most of them are simple and come up with detailed operational instructions.