Excellent stuffed as an appetizer, side dish or entree. Add to stir-frys, sautes and sauces. A great substitute for meat in a sandwich or entree. Use as a meat alternative in a vegetarian entree. These range in color from tan to dark brown with broad, umbrella-shaped caps, wide open veils and tan gills.
Shiitake caps have a soft, spongy texture.
When cooked, shiitakes are rich and woodsy, with a meaty texture. Keep refrigerated in porous paper bags. They add a meaty flavor and texture to stir-frys, pastas, soups, entrees and side dishes. Discarded stems can be used to flavor stocks. Fluted and graceful, oyster mushrooms range in color from soft brown to gray.