We’ve had quite a crop of baby Shiitake this summer. These are mature Shiitake that are just very small. Light levels, mushroom log fruiting frequency, or weather conditions cause this to happen. But they are fun to work with – all you have to do is remove the stem and throw the whole mushroom in to saute. If you get packaged baby shiitake through one of the grocery stores we sell to, then you won’t even have to do that; we’ve already removed them for you! Added to pasta it makes a simple, quick, and very tasty dish.
Pasta and Baby Shiitake
pasta – bowtie, noodles, or whatever you have on hand
8 ounces of baby shiitake (approximately two packages), stems removed
salt to taste – probably about 1 tsp.
a few cloves of garlic, minced
Parmesan cheese, grated, to taste
half a dozen cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Boil your chosen pasta until it’s cooked to the amount you like. While the pasta is cooking, heat a tablespoon or two of oil in a cast iron or other heavy pan on medium-high heat. When hot, put in the shiitake and saute. Cook them for around 5-8 minutes, until they’re soft, aromatic, and starting to brown a little. If you’re not sure they’re done, try one and see if you like it! Toss in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute or so. Garlic burns easily, so keep an eye on the pan and remove from heat when the garlic starts to brown.
Drain your pasta and dish pasta into shallow bowls or plates. Pile on shiitake and garlic, sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and add a few sliced cherry tomatoes.
Jeremy added a few nasturtium flowers to his because he loves those tasty flowers!
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