| The Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is an edible and | | | | mushroom growing kit will start to produce mushrooms |
| medicinal mushroom native to China and cultivated in | | | | in about one week, giving a total of two pounds of |
| several Asian countries for over one thousand years. | | | | 'shrooms over the next four to six weeks. |
| The Shiitake has many other names, including black | | | | A kit for growing shiitake mushrooms includes a |
| forest mushroom, fragrant mushroom, flower | | | | shiitake block made of enriched sawdust and wood |
| mushroom, and Chinese black mushroom. | | | | chips, a hydration tent, complete instructions, and |
| In traditional medicine, shiitake have been used to treat | | | | recipes. All you do is soak the block in water for a |
| upper respiratory disease, poor blood circulation, liver | | | | few hours and watch for the mushrooms grow from |
| problems, exhaustion, and weakness. Some believe | | | | little pinheads to maturity in just a few days. |
| the mushroom has anti-aging properties. | | | | Can you imagine serving your guests shiitake |
| Fresh and dried shiitake are popular in Asian cuisine. | | | | mushrooms you grew in your own home? Cooking |
| Fresh shiitake are full of flavor and have an earthy | | | | shiitake is as easy as growing them. For a simple and |
| aroma. They may be sautéed as part of | | | | scrumptious shiitake dish, put one pound of unsliced |
| Chinese vegetarian dishes or served in Japanese miso | | | | mushrooms caps in a baking dish with the gills facing |
| soup. The traditional bulgogi (marinated grilled beef) of | | | | up. Baste with a mixture of one tablespoon olive oil, |
| Korean cuisine uses shiitake. In Thailand shiitake are | | | | one tablespoon tamari or soy sauce, two tablespoons |
| served fried or steamed. | | | | sesame oil, two to three tablespoons white wine, a |
| Some cuisines prefer dried shiitake because they have | | | | pinch of black pepper, and one or two cloves of |
| a more intense flavor, last for months, and are easy to | | | | crushed garlic. Be careful not to saturate the gills with |
| store. They are ideal for soups. Rehydrate dried | | | | the sauce. Bake uncovered in a 340o oven for 20 |
| mushrooms in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes | | | | minutes, or barbecue. Serve the mushrooms hot. |
| before using, then use as you would fresh mushrooms. | | | | A mushroom growing kit is a unique gift for the |
| Some recipes are better with dried mushrooms. You | | | | gourmet cook and mushroom lover. It's perfect for the |
| can use rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms in any | | | | chef who appreciates the importance of fresh |
| recipe that calls for fresh shiitake. | | | | mushrooms and the earthy aroma of shiitake. It's also |
| Global shiitake production has increased the use of | | | | a terrific gift and learning tool for children that the |
| these mushrooms in western cuisine. In fact, if you | | | | whole family can enjoy. There is nothing like growing |
| want to grow shiitake mushrooms in your own kitchen | | | | your own food then cooking and eating it together. If |
| you can. All you need is an indoor space with indirect | | | | you think tomatoes are easy and rewarding to grow, |
| light and a shiitake mushroom growing kit. A shiitake | | | | you ought to try shiitake mushrooms! |