How to Prepare Lion's Mane Mushrooms for Cooking

The idea of preparing lion's mane mushrooms has entered your mind. Perhaps you're interested in incorporating lion's mane into your diet after learning about its purported health benefits. Or maybe you're bored with portobello and button mushrooms and want to experiment with something new in the gourmet mushroom realm. For whatever reason, you've found the right place to learn how to maximize the flavor of this adaptable and delicious mushroom in your cooking.

Where to find lion's mane, as well as its cleaning, storing, and preparing procedures, will be discussed, along with a couple of easy recipes. In addition, we'll touch on a few of the fascinating ways this mushroom can improve your health. What follows is a comprehensive guide to using lion's mane mushrooms in your kitchen.

Summary of the Contents:

Whether you use fresh or dried lion's mane mushrooms in your cooking, you'll enjoy the same delicious versatility, nutritional benefits, and brain-boosting effects regardless of which type you use (left or right).

Just what is "Lion's Mane"

The lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) can be found all over the northern United States and Canada. Birch, beech, elm, and oak trees are common places to find them, as are trees that have already died.

Because of its shaggy, mane-like appearance, the lion's mane mushroom is known by that name. Teeth are hair-like structures that hang off the mushroom and give it a white color. Bearded hedgehog mushroom, also known as the pom-pom mushroom, due to its fuzzy appearance.

This one-of-a-kind mushroom has gained worldwide popularity in recent years, both in the kitchen and for its purported health benefits. The mushroom has many uses, as it can be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or brewed into a tea. Extracts of lion's mane are commonly found in dietary supplements.

The "teeth" are the hair-like structures that give the lion's mane mushroom its name and appearance. To my knowledge, lion's mane is the only mushroom in the world with this particular quality.

The Lion's Mane Mushroom: A Superfood for the Kitchen

One benefit of using lion's mane mushrooms in your cooking is that they are good for your health (and taste great too!). ) There are many benefits to increasing your intake of lion's mane, including its positive effects on your brain and gut health and its potential as one of the best mushrooms for anxiety.

Historically, the lion's mane mushroom has been used as a treatment in Asian medicine. It has long been used to promote spleen and digestive tract health in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. To aid digestion, energy, and strength, this mushroom is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (1).

Gains in Memory and Learning from Lion's Mane

Recent studies have shown promise for the potential health benefits of lion's mane mushrooms. They have been found to have promising properties, one of which is promoting brain health.

Possibly protecting our neurons and nerves, lion's mane mushrooms contain two compounds that aren't found anywhere else. Hericenones and erinacines are some of the names for these chemicals. Recent research suggests that these compounds may prevent age-related cognitive decline in the brain (2).

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a compound that helps keep our brains healthy (3), and lion's mane has been shown in studies to boost NGF production. Animal studies (2) have linked this compound to promoting nerve growth and function.

There is evidence to suggest that this powerful mushroom can promote brain health in other ways, as well.

• Reducing the effects of oxidative stress on the brain (2)
• Foster both short-term and long-term recollection (2)
• Improved mental performance (4th)
• Control your feelings (5)

It's possible that lion's mane is one of the most effective mushrooms for treating stress and nervousness. Results from a clinical trial showed that lion's mane mushroom reduced anxiousness, irritability, and frustration in participants (6).

The health benefits of lion's mane may extend to other parts of your body as well. In the case of the immune system, for instance, it can help maintain a normal response. Scientific research demonstrates its efficacy in controlling intestinal and gut bacteria (7). Boosting immunity by controlling intestinal mucosal activity, these mushrooms have been shown in animal studies (8).

Lion's Mane Mushrooms' Nutrient Content

Adding lion's mane mushrooms to your meals is a great way to add more nutrition to your diet. Every essential amino acid your body needs can be found in the proteins found in mushrooms. Each and every one of your cells is made up of amino acids, and in order to provide your body with the fuel it needs to function, you must find complete sources of all essential amino acids.

Lion's mane mushrooms already have a low-fat content and a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, but these nutritional properties bolster their already impressive health benefits. When properly extracted, lion's mane extract can be used as a supplement to help you reap the health benefits listed in the previous section (9).

The Lion's Mane Diet Plan

In order to maintain good health, your body requires a certain balance of amino acids, and the proteins found in lion's mane mushrooms provide all of them. The potassium and fiber content are also very high.

I'm curious, what exactly does a lion's mane mushroom taste like.

Lion's mane mushrooms, if you've never had them before, are delicious. After being cooked, it becomes tender, juicy, and flavorful. Lion's mane mushrooms have a flavor that is reminiscent of seafood like crab, lobster, and other shellfish. Because of this, it is frequently used as a meatless alternative in seafood dishes.

Can You Get Lion's Mane Mushrooms Anywhere?

Fresh, dried, or powdered lion's mane mushrooms are all available for purchase. When it comes to the kitchen, each format has its uses.

For frying and grilling, fresh and dried lion's mushrooms may be preferable, while powders may be better suited for uses such as baking, broths, and mixed drinks.

Since mushrooms soak up liquids like a sponge, they're great for marinades and sauces but not so great for avoiding pesticide contamination. That is why you should only buy organic lion's mane mushrooms.

The best place to find lion's mane mushrooms, either fresh or dried, is at a natural foods store or a farmer's market. You can also find them in some Asian markets; just make sure they came from a certified organic farm.

Do some online shopping or start a garden if you can't find them locally. You can find lion's mane online, both fresh and dried, as well as in grow kits.

Some health food stores and websites sell organic mushroom powders. When purchasing mushroom powders for medicinal purposes, however, it is crucial to do so with the utmost care. Take a look at our 4 point buying guide for Lion's Mane powder extracts to find out how to recognize a high-quality mushroom product.

Spend your money at LION'S MANE! Make sure the lion's mane you buy is organic if you're going to use it in a meal. Since mushrooms are so porous, they will absorb and store any harmful substances, such as pesticides, that they come into contact with.

Cleaning and preserving lion's mane mushrooms

Putting Away the King's Cap

The freshest lion's mane mushrooms should be used when cooking. The problem is that you don't want the extras to spoil before you can eat them. Make sure to properly store them if you don't intend to consume them immediately.

If you're going to eat your fresh lion's mane mushrooms within a few days, refrigerating them is the best option. Make sure they have enough room to breathe by storing them in a large paper bag. Keep them dry and out of the way of liquids to prevent mold growth.

The lion's mane mushroom's distinctive red color fades to a yellowish hue as it ages. If you want to keep the flavor, remove the yellow parts. The orange color, softness, sliminess, or other rotting indicators should prompt you to toss them.

Lion's mane can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week if stored properly. You'll need to find a better place to keep them if you aren't going to use them soon.

They can be dried, but first any excess dirt must be removed. To do this, you can either rinse them in water or use a mushroom brush to gently sweep off any particles. Once you've given them a good soaking, put them out in the sun for a while so the moisture can evaporate.

Process of Preserving and Cleaning Lion's Mane Mushrooms

After washing the mushrooms, they can be dried using an oven or a food dehydrator. Use a shape knife to shave off a quarter of an inch from the length of the lion's mane. The slices should be separated from one another on the dehydrator trays or parchment-lined baking trays before they are dried.

For a dehydrator, aim for 135 degrees Fahrenheit and four to six hours. If you prefer the mushrooms to be less firm and more delicate, dehydrate them at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. Dry the lion's mane for two to four hours in the oven at its lowest setting.

Mushrooms are done when they snap easily between your fingers. Put them into canning jars or plastic bags to cool down. If you want to keep them fresh for as long as possible, you should store them in airtight containers. Dried lion's mane mushrooms have an indefinite shelf life if kept dry and cool.

It's also possible to preserve your lion's mane mushrooms by freezing them. They contain a lot of water, so cooking them before freezing is recommended. You can prepare them as you normally would, or follow the instructions for our sauteed lion's mane recipe (below), and then set them aside to cool. When you're ready to store them for up to a year in the freezer, place them in a vacuum-sealed bag or airtight freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

Using a sauté pan to prepare a fresh lion's mane mushroom is the best way to bring out its subtle seafood-like flavor.

Ways to Prepare Lion's Mane Mushroom

The preparation of lion's mane mushrooms is simple and rewarding. Both sautéing and roasting work well for preparing lion's mane mushrooms. They're versatile once cooked, and can be eaten in a variety of ways, including sandwiches, stir-fries, and plain.

If this is your first time preparing lion's mane mushrooms, sautéing or roasting is an excellent way to get started. Try them in a vegan lobster roll, or make your own lion's mane "crab" cakes if you're feeling adventurous.

The Proper Method for Preparing Lion's Mane Mushroom for Eating

You must prepare lion's mane mushrooms before you can cook them. You can either wash them in running water or use a mushroom brush to scrub off the grime. If you wash them, let them air dry for a few hours, preferably in the sun.

The mushroom's underside is probably grimy and possibly even a little tough. Remove it along with any other discolored or wilted areas by cutting them off.

Mushrooms can be sliced or shredded, depending on how they'll be used in the dish.

If slicing, cut the mushroom in half vertically with a chef's knife. You can then slice it into half-inch pieces for a thicker cut, or quarter-inch pieces for a crispier cut. For shredding purposes, you can break the mushroom apart into small pieces by hand. The mushroom will be crispier if you shred it than if you slice it.

Recipe for Lion's Mane in a Saucy Stroganoff

Lion's mane mushrooms can be prepared in a flash by sautéing them. A quick and easy saute of mushrooms that turns out delicious.

Ingredients:

• Weigh out 8 ounces of lion's mane mushrooms
• A couple of tablepoons of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
• a pinch of garlic powder, or a quarter teaspoon
• Modify with salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:

1. Mushrooms should be washed, their stems removed, and they should be sliced to the desired thickness.
2. Olive oil should be heated in a medium-sized pan. During this time, add the mushroom slices and cook them over medium heat until they are golden. It ought to take no longer than two minutes.
3. Approximately two minutes after flipping, the other side should brown. Add the seasonings to taste, including the garlic powder, soy sauce, and salt and pepper.
4. Try them in a stir-fry, on a sandwich, or by themselves. Enjoy

How to Cook Lion's Mane for Roasting

To enjoy the rich flavor of lion's mane mushrooms without a lot of effort, try roasting them. If you want to throw a dinner party that everyone will remember, try this technique.

Ingredients:

• Lion's mane mushroom, 8 ounces
• A little over 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Leaves only from 1 sprig of fresh thyme, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon
• a pinch of garlic powder, or one table spoon
• 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• Just enough salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Turn the oven temperature up to 375 degrees F. Use parchment paper to line a baking sheet.
2. Mushrooms should be washed, their stems removed, and they should be sliced to the desired thickness.
3. In a bowl, combine the olive oil, thyme, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sliced mushrooms should be thrown into the bowl and thoroughly mixed with the coating.
4. Place in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the mushrooms are golden and soft, on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Have them on their own or with rice, polenta, potatoes, or anything else Happy eating!

Uses for More Lion's Mane in Cooking

In our article Lion's Mane Recipes: 7 Creations Using This Unique Mushroom, we present a collection of seven additional tasty dishes that can be prepared with this mushroom.

Have fun experimenting with these delicious lion's mane recipes! Let us know how they turned out by posting to our Facebook page or tagging us in your Instagram photos of mushroom dishes made with our mushrooms (@Real_Mushrooms).

BROWSE LION'S MANE!

Resources:

1. Spelman, K A., Sutherland, E. Bagade, A., &, As of today (December 6th, 2018) The herb lion's mane (hericium erinaceus) has shown promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Care That Heals Neurological activity of lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) in Chinese and Japanese medicine. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://restorativemedicine.org/journal/neurological-activity-lions-mane/#::text=In Chinese and Japanese medical.
2. Authors: Kevin Spelman; Elizabeth Sutherland; Aravind Bagade The Journal of Restorative Medicine, Volume 6, Issue 1, 3 December 2017, Pages 19–26(8) Retrieved from "https://restorativemedicine.org/journal/neurological-activity-lions-mane-hericium-erinaceus/"
3. According to Lai PL, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V, Wong KH, David RP, Kuppusamy UR, Abdullah N, and Malek SN (n d ) The Malaysian medicinal mushroom hericium erinaceus (higher basidiomycetes), also known as lion's mane, has neurotrophic properties. Scientific Reports on Medicinal Mushrooms For the full article, please visit https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24266378/ and click on the "Download PDF" button.
4. Saitsu, Y A. Nishide Kikushima K., A., Shimizu, K. Together with Ohnuki, K (2019) Hericium erinaceus, when taken orally, boosts brainpower. Research in the Field of Medicine (Tokyo, Japan), 40(4), 125-131 https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.40.125
5. Ryu, S , Kim, H G , Kim, J Y , Kim, S Y , & Cho, K O (2018) By increasing new neurons in the hippocampus of adult mice, an extract of the plant Hericium erinaceus can lessen anxious and depressive behavior. 21(2), 174–180, Journal of Medicinal Food. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2017.4006
6. Nagano, M I. Shimizu; K. , Kondo, R A., Hayashi, C. , Sato, D K. Kitagawa in conjunction with Ohnuki, K (2010) Hericium erinaceus, when taken for four weeks, can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Japanese Journal of Biomedical Research 31(4):231–237 https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.31.231
7. Diling, C A. Z. Chaoqun , Jian, Y , Jian, L , Jiyan, S (X Yizhen) , and L. Guoxiao (2017) Extraction of a Fungal Protein from Hericium erinaceus Shows Immunomodulatory Effects by Modulating the Gut Microbiota Immunology Frontiers, 8, 666 https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00666
8. Sheng, X , Yan, J , Meng, Y , Kang, Y , Han, Z , Tai, G , Zhou, Y Cheng, H., & (2017) Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides have immunomodulatory effects that are mediated by intestinal immunology. 8(3), pp. 1020-1027 in Food & Function. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7fo00071e
9. Drs. S. Wachtel-Galor, J. Yuen, J. A. Buswell, et al. 2011 Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a type of mushroom used for medicinal purposes. Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S (eds. Therapeutic uses of herbs: biomolecular and clinical considerations New and Improved for a Second Printing CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, Inc.; Boca Raton (FL): Chapter 9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/

Disclaimer: No claims are made that any of the information presented here can or will be used to detect, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The reader should not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they have read here; such reliance on information is not appropriate. This material is intended solely for the use of trained medical personnel. Disclaimer: The Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed the claims made in this article. Neither the author nor the manufacturer intends to promote the use of these products for such purposes. This article's contents are presented solely for instructional purposes. This content is not meant to replace the advice of trained medical professionals. If you have any questions about your health, you should talk to a professional.