Chuck Zumbrun

Tales from Skunk Hill

Mushroom Powder

For some reason we ended up with a jar of mushroom powder from that most excellent store, Great American Spice Company.

The Splendid Source
The Splendid Source

We had some pasta, we had some mushrooms, it seemed like a good idea to beef it up with some mushroom powder. And it was a good idea. It made an absolutely delicious pasta sauce.

Mushroom Sauce for Pasta
For 2
1/2 pound of mushrooms, whatever you have, button are fine, shiitake, portobello, porcini, etc would all be nice.
1/2 teaspoon mushroom powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
a good handful of finely diced red onion (or white or yellow)
Big pinch of marjoram, or a sprig of fresh if you have it
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup cream
olive oil
salt and pepper
pasta

Trim off any stalks or other tough bits and cut the mushrooms into bite sized pieces
Put the mushroom trimmings in a pan with 2 cups of chicken broth and the mushroom powder
Bring to a boil and simmer until reduced by half

Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a pan
Add the onion and cook until translucent
Add the mushrooms with a good pinch of salt and the marjoram
Cook until nicely browned
Add the garlic and cook for a minute or so until fragrant
Add the cream
Strain the chicken stock into the pan with the mushrooms and onions and garlic
Simmer for a few minutes

Meanwhile cook your pasta, when it’s ready stir the pasta into the sauce, add salt and pepper to taste, and grate parmesan cheese over it to taste.

Eat the pasta, then lick the sauce off the plate, it’s that good.

3 responses to “Mushroom Powder”

  1. Missy Avatar
    Missy

    What have you used the mushroom powder in? Do you use it in soups and such? I dehydrated mushrooms once and crumbled them to use in stuff but this sounds very interesting (and less work).

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    We got it as an ingredient in a mushroom and rice soup that we saw on Americas test kitchen I believe.

  3. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    Mr. Cook posted a recipe for “the tastiest beef patties ever” or some such accolades. I bought Portabella and Porcini powder online from Whole Spice to make the recipe. It was expensive, but then the powder represents many mushrooms, I imagine. Have used it in Salisbury steak and meatloaf and it is tasty. It should perk up soup and I will try it.

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