Myth Smashers Episode

[isilzha]

I saw most of this episode yesterday. FNF knows I've been trying to see the whole one forever (since I love Mythbusters ) but what I thought was funny is that the stuff he was testing and finding to not be true is stuff I've heard all of the other Food Network stars say.

[Food Network Fan]

I thought he was planning on making a whole series of these shows. I would like to see him do that.

Some day you will get to see the whole episode if I keep telling you when it's on.

[MayQueen]

I was so happy when Alton debunked the mushrooms-absorbing-water-if-you- wash-them myth. I live next door to the Mushroom Capital of the World and have friends who used to case mushrooms when they were teenagers. How mushrooms have avoided taking the same hit as spinach a few months back, I'll never know. I won't even eat raw mushrooms. At the very least, go ahead and wash that fungus--Alton says it is okay!

[bluejeanz]

Originally Posted by MayQueen

I was so happy when Alton debunked the mushrooms-absorbing-water-if-you- wash-them myth. I live next door to the Mushroom Capital of the World and have friends who used to case mushrooms when they were teenagers. How mushrooms have avoided taking the same hit as spinach a few months back, I'll never know. I won't even eat raw mushrooms. At the very least, go ahead and wash that fungus--Alton says it is okay!

Yes! That really blew my mind. I was shocked at his comment about washing them but he went further and soaked them and they had only sucked up a minute amount of water. That was an old ep though cause that was when I stopped brushing them and started washing them. I don't know where you guys buy your mushrooms but our local grocers only sell them pre-packaged and I swear they must roll those babies around in the dirt before packaging them.

[BerryBaby]

I have forever washed my mushrooms. Wish the other FN cooks would watch Alton's shows so they know it is ok to wash mushrooms and other myths he reveals.

I buy mushrooms loose and they are HUGE! We have all kinds that you can buy fresh at any grocery store. Yes, they have dirt on them, but I think they are picked and shipped.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by bluejeanz

Yes! That really blew my mind. I was shocked at his comment about washing them but he went further and soaked them and they had only sucked up a minute amount of water. That was an old ep though cause that was when I stopped brushing them and started washing them. I don't know where you guys buy your mushrooms but our local grocers only sell them pre-packaged and I swear they must roll those babies around in the dirt before packaging them.

BJ,

The one thing that Alton didn't mention in that segment is the ratio of water absorbed to weight of the mushroom.
I have heard that they can absorb more than 10% of their weight when soaked like that.
When you cook mushrooms, the first thing you notice is that a significant amount of liquid comes out of them when you apply heat and even more if you use salt.
I don't think that this is a problem if you have to cook off another 10% of the liquid, but it does elongate the process of cooking them.

BTW - I think some of them get slimy when they get too wet

[BerryBaby]

I have found Michael's method for mushrooms to be the best. You melt the butter in a skillet. Put in the mushrooms and DO not touch them until they are brown on the bottom. Once browned turn them only once and do not touch them again until browned. Of course you have gingerly check a mushroom to see they are browned, but it works beautifully!

No water and perfectly cooked.

PS Michael said that stirring or turning them often produces the water in the skillet. I've done it many times his way, and he is correct.

[radiodugger]

Did anyone motice the little "factoid" that says that mushroom cells are made of "chitin", the same substance that ants/spiders/flies and other insects are made of (on the outsied, anyway)>

I love mushrooms. That fact should stay in the dark...with growing mushrooms! Oh well...still, some folks might say, "EEEEEE-yewww!"

LOL

Radio Doug

[Food Network Fan]

I am not a mushroom fan, I can eat them if they are in something. But I don't go out of my way to have mushroom anything.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by BerryBaby

I have found Michael's method for mushrooms to be the best. You melt the butter in a skillet. Put in the mushrooms and DO not touch them until they are brown on the bottom. Once browned turn them only once and do not touch them again until browned. Of course you have gingerly check a mushroom to see they are browned, but it works beautifully!

No water and perfectly cooked.

PS Michael said that stirring or turning them often produces the water in the skillet. I've done it many times his way, and he is correct.

2 points:

1. Does Michael "wash" or "soak" his mushrooms or just wipe them with a cloth or brush?
2. What if you want your mushrooms softened and not browned?