Here at Gourmet’s Finest, in Southeastern Pennsylvania, we often have customers who want a fantastic mushroom flavor that’s less exotic. This is when the cremini mushroom works the best. It is a fantastic mushroom, often called a brown mushroom, that has a softer flavor and a lot of heartiness to it. It is much like a white button mushroom, but it is brown in color. This also contributes to its stronger color, too.
Cremini, which can also sometimes be referred to as crimini, are a different strain of the white button mushroom line. They have a bit of a deeper taste than what you may find from others. You may also find them labeled as baby portobello mushrooms from time to time. In all cases, they tend to have a bit of an earthy flavor but not a drastic, pungent flavor.
If you want something that adds more depth of flavor than a typical white button mushroom, these brown cremini mushrooms work well. And, there is no limit to what you can pair them with. They work well with most dishes, including beef and pork. They can be used with chicken, as well. They add a hearty component to vegetable-based dishes but can also work well for those seeking a mushroom that can handle stronger flavors without competing against them.
Cremini mushrooms are rather easy to cook because they are so versatile. You can simply chop them up and add them to a stew or a soup. They will soften within a few minutes. They can also be sauteed as a standalone dish. Just add a few simple spices you like and a bit of olive oil or butter. Add them to your eggs in the morning, stir fry at lunch, and to thicken up a gravy later.
Prepping these is very easy to do. You just need to use a damp cloth to wipe them off. They are easy to store as well. It is best to store them in the refrigerator whole until you are ready to use them. Over time, they can become slimy – which is an indication that you should no longer use them. Buy them whole for the longest lasting and freshest flavor. You can then cut them up, stem and all, to add to your dishes.
