WHITE PORTOBELLO
Agaricus Bisporus
White portobellos are medium to large with a hat averaging 8-14 inches in diameter and are connected with thick, truncated stems. The smooth, rounded hat rises above the stipe with curved edges and is thick, spongy, and white to ivory in color with a gradual browning blush with age. Under the unopened cap are many small, light brown gills that produce brown spores hidden by a white veil and the white stipe is thick, smooth and edible. White silver mushrooms are very mild with a crunchy texture, and when cooked they develop an earthy flavor with a tender, chewy texture.
PREPARATION
Portabello mushrooms are best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, sautéing and grilling. They are very versatile and can be grilled whole to make a veggie burger or hollowed out and used as a pizza base or shell for other fillings. They can also be chopped and mixed into soups and stews, baked into pasta or rice dishes, sliced into salads, chopped into a filling for a mushroom strudel, or chopped and cooked into an omelette. The hat is the part that is most often cooked and consumed, as the stem can be fibrous and woody, but the tough stem can also be used to add flavor to stock. Portabella mushrooms go well with balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs such as oregano, rosemary, thyme or coriander, marinara, spinach, leafy greens, tomatoes, goat cheese, mozzarella, cream-based sauces, garlic and onions. They will keep for 7-10 days if stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator. They can also be cooked and stored in the freezer for a few months.
Portobello mushrooms are a good source of fiber, with 11 percent of the daily value, and they are high in water, giving them a low energy density. A 1-cup serving of sliced, cooked portobello mushrooms contains 15 percent of the daily value for pantothenic acid; 29 percent of the DV for riboflavin; 38 percent of the DV for niacin; and 6 percent of the DV each for folate and thiamine. These B vitamins are essential for a healthy metabolism and nervous system, and help keep your liver, skin, eyes and hair healthy. Portobello mushrooms are rich in minerals. Each serving contains 15 percent of the DV for potassium, 16 percent of the DV for phosphorus, 24 percent of the DV for copper and 38 percent of the DV for selenium. Potassium aids in nerve and muscle function and counteracts the effects of sodium on blood pressure.
Other Names
- PortabellaCriminiAgaricus Bisporus (Latin)
