Portabella Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
What is it? It is a mature version of the edible white button mushroom. What about the cremini located next to the white button mushrooms in the grocery store, you ask? Well, a cremini is the middle child of this fungi family.
How is it grown? Portabellas are cultivated year round, inside or outside, and in darkness or light as mushrooms get their energy from the wood or compost on which they are grown rather than from photosynthesis.
Is it locally grown? Kennett Square, Pennsylvania leads in U.S. production, however, there are several local New Jersey farms growing mushrooms too.
Tips: Buy portabellas that have light color caps and gills. Dark brown, soft, shriveled, or wet mushrooms do not make for a good eating experience. Store mushrooms in paper bags, or an open plastic bag as the food needs ventilation. Plus, make sure to clean mushrooms before you eat them; remember what they are grown in.
Cooking: Be adventurous! Grill a cap along with Fontina or Brie cheese, top with garlicky spinach, and place on seasoned ciabatta or focaccia. Sauté diced mushrooms with onions to the caramelized stage and top a poached egg for breakfast. Rather yet, bake in a broccoli rice casserole, roast with red peppers and zucchini, stir-fry with tofu, or stew into a thick gravy to drizzle over egg noodles. Whichever way you choose, these wonderfully “meaty” textured and deep flavored mushrooms will offer a satisfyingly hearty meal.
References
Agaricus bisporus (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 2, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portabella_mushroom
Knife Skills: How to Prepare Portabella Mushrooms (n,d). In Serious Eats. Retrieved March 2, 2012 from http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/04/knife-skills-how-to-prepare-portabella-mushrooms.html
López, J. Kenji (2009, January 14). What are Cremini Mushrooms? A Few Mushroom Facts. In theKitchn. Retrieved March 2, 2013 from http://www.thekitchn.com/what-are-cremini-mushrooms-a-f-73949
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