Finding a fresh, young chicken of the woods mushroom is one of the best things to happen to a mushroom forager. These mushrooms are delicious! They have a super dense, meaty texture with only a slight mushroomy flavor. Their texture and mild flavor make them the perfect meat substitute in SO many dishes. Most people won’t even notice they’re eating a mushroom!.
However, you need to know how to clean and prepare these mushroom finds before you start cooking them. Most chicken of the woods mushrooms don’t need much cleaning (another big bonus of this mushroom), but it also isn’t uncommon to find them embedded with twigs and leaves or conifer needles.
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are a delicious wild edible mushroom that can be found growing on dead trees and logs. Their bright orange and yellow coloring makes them easy to spot, but before cooking and eating these mushrooms proper cleaning is essential. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean chicken of the woods mushrooms.
Harvesting Chicken of the Woods
When looking for chicken of the woods, look for shelf mushrooms that grow on dead wood. You will never find them growing on real trees or on the ground. Pick mushrooms that are fresh and don’t have any dark spots or slime on them. Cut the soft outside parts away from the tough base where it connects to wood with a sharp knife.
Storing Fresh Chicken of the Woods
After harvesting, ideal fresh storage is in the refrigerator in a paper or reusable cotton bag for up to 7-10 days. The bag allows airflow and prevents moisture buildup. Do not store in plastic, as condensation causes faster spoilage. Clean mushrooms right before cooking, not before storing.
Cleaning Steps
Cleaning chicken of the woods mushrooms properly is crucial for safety and good flavor. Here are the key steps:
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Inspect Each Piece: Look at every mushroom section and feel for bugs, dirt, or mushy spots. Discard any bad parts.
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Get rid of rough spots: Cut away the rough base and any woody or fibrous parts. Only keep tender pieces.
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Rinse Well: Rinse the mushrooms well or wipe them down with a clean, damp cloth or mushroom brush. Avoid soaking them.
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Check for Bugs: Cut mushrooms in half lengthwise to see if there are any bugs hiding inside. Remove infested parts.
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Dry Immediately: Gently pat dry each piece with a paper towel. Allow to air dry until completely dry to the touch before storing.
What to Avoid When Cleaning
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Don’t wash mushrooms until right before cooking. Store unwashed.
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Avoid soaking mushrooms in water, as they absorb liquid quickly.
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Don’t clean in a large bowl of water, as dirt and bugs can spread.
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Don’t use a stiff scrub brush, which can bruise the tender flesh.
Prepping Chicken of the Woods for Cooking
Once cleaned, trim away any remaining tough or woody sections. The denser middle sections often need added moisture when cooking. The tender outer pieces can become brittle if overcooked.
Safe Cooking Guidelines
Always cook chicken of the woods thoroughly, at least 10 minutes. Do not consume raw. Start with small portion sizes if new to these mushrooms. Monitor for any gastric reactions.
With proper harvesting, cleaning, and cooking, chicken of the woods mushrooms offer a delicious, sustainable food source from the forest. Follow these tips for enjoying their woodsy flavor and chicken-like texture.
How To Clean Chicken of the Woods
Start cleaning right in the field by cutting off tough sections and keeping only the tender parts. The base of the cluster is usually pretty tough, so that can get sliced off immediately. This first step will reduce the work you need to do at home.
When you get the mushroom home, take time to look at each piece. Look the mushroom over for mushy bits and cut them off. Next, examine for dirt or bug damage. Chicken of the woods mushrooms can be super clean with very little dirt or have all kinds of debris embedded in the cap.
Foraged mushrooms that are mostly clean will only need a wipe down or quick rinse under running water. A soft-bristled brush or damp paper towel works great to wipe the mushroom caps and undersides.
For the dirtier mushrooms, it will take a lot more work, depending on how deep the dirt is buried. The easiest thing to do is cut away any tough or dirty sections you find. Though, this can have you cutting the entire mushroom into bits. You can’t get around this, unless you like eating sticks with your mushrooms. A paring knife works great to scrape or cut off the extra stuff.
Take a good look at the mushroom to check for any signs of bug infestation. Look carefully at the outer lobes because fungus gnats often make homes in these spaces. Cut each mushroom in half from top to bottom to find hidden insects. Get rid of parts that show heavy bug damage or where slugs have made their homes.
Chicken of the Woods Freshness Test
Fresh chicken of the woods mushrooms should feel slightly spongy yet firm to the touch. The color will be bright, not faded, and the flesh will easily cut.
Here are signs that the mushroom is past prime and should not be eaten:
- There are dark spots or places where the color looks very different.
- Slimy spots on the mushroom flesh
- Flesh crumbles easily
- A knife does not cut the flesh easily
- Mold or spores you can see on the surface
You have a short window to harvest these mushrooms – from just showing up as little nubbins on the tree to fully fledged massive brackets takes about 5-7 days. Mushrooms growing near the ground or on fallen trees need extra cleaning. Look for young, tender shelves because older parts get tough and woody.
How to Clean Chicken of the Woods
FAQ
Do you wash chicken of the woods mushrooms?
Gently brush the mushrooms off with a dry towel, removing any dirt that may be left on. Don’t wash or rinse them in water; they will soak it up and get squishy and wet.
How to prepare chicken of the woods mushroom?
Dry sauteed chicken of the woods These are often the finest mushrooms to eat, and are extra soft and tender. Slice the mushrooms and heat them in a nonstick pan until the water runs out. This is called dry sautéing. After the water has evaporated, you season the mushrooms with salt and add your fat to the pan.
How to properly store chicken of the woods mushrooms?
These mushrooms store well in the refrigerator for up to a week, and they freeze very well. Clean, slice into strips, and vacuum seal; store in the freezer until ready to use. I just recently learned that they keep really well in the freezer, so I now have several full bags of them for later use. Jul 18, 2024.
Are chicken of the woods mushrooms safe to eat?
Chicken of the woods mushrooms, specifically the species L. sulphureus, are safe to eat and a delicious addition to your diet.Dec 17, 2024
How do you clean a chicken of the woods mushroom?
When it comes to cleaning the Chicken of the Woods it really doesn’t change to much from any other mushroom that you want to clean. The main goal is to get it clean without it being wet for too long. If it is wet for to long the mushroom will start to absorb the water and get mushy. Cleaning procedures: Trim away any tough or bug eaten pieces.
What to do with chicken of the woods mushrooms?
Use chicken of the woods mushrooms in recipes for pasta dishes, risotto, rice dishes, soups, stews, and as a topping for meats with plenty of fresh herbs. For a simple preparation that delivers a lot of flavor, try sauteeing these mushrooms in a pan with shallots, garlic, white wine, and sprigs of fresh thyme.
Is chicken of the woods a mushroom?
One thing to note is that Chicken of the Woods (laetiporus sulphureus) is completely different mushroom from the Hen of the Woods (Maitake). Before we get into how to store Chicken of the Woods, lets take a look at how to clean it before you store it…
How do you cook chicken of the woods mushrooms?
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to stir-fries and sandwiches. Here are some tips for cooking them: Use a non-stick pan: Chicken of the woods mushrooms release a lot of water when cooked, so using a non-stick pan can help prevent them from sticking and burning.
Can you freeze chicken of the woods mushrooms?
To do this, simply clean the mushrooms as usual and slice them into desired sizes. Then, blanch the slices for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, drain and cool them, and pack them into an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen chicken of the woods mushrooms can last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Can Chicken of the woods mushrooms be fried?
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms can be blanched, fried, sautéed, or baked — much like other mushrooms you would use in a favorite recipe. The mushrooms should be carefully cleaned to remove any dirt or other particles before being prepared for a dish.