Lucas Sin Explains Why You Should be Braising Your Mushrooms

BRAISED MUSHROOMS:
In this episode of Why it Works, Lucas Sin teaches a not-so-typical method for cooking all types of mushrooms. You may have learned to make sure your mushrooms are as dry as possible throughout the cooking process for maximum browning and flavor- Lucas is here to flip that notion on its head and show you his method, explaining Why it Works along the way!
"The usual way of treating mushrooms-as is taught in most French culinary schools-is to not let them come in contact with a single drop of water. Each mushroom is painstakingly brushed or peeled to clean them while keeping them dry, then piled into a ripping hot pan with oil. The idea is that without added moisture, the mushrooms should caramelize and pick up color. Unfortunately, as the mushrooms cook, they begin to release moisture, which then gets in the way of browning.
This recipe takes a different approach that’s been a staple of mushroom cookery in Chinese kitchens of boiling the mushrooms, slowly reducing the liquid, and finally searing them off with added oil. The science has been outlined by Cook’s Illustrated and even made rounds on TikTok via @jimboilsmushrooms. In short, first boiling the mushrooms accelerates the expulsion of moisture from the mushroom so that browning can happen more quickly. In addition, the liquid that the mushrooms cook in quickly become a flavorful broth with proteins and sugars that caramelize at the bottom of the pan, so that towards the end of the cooking process, there’s already a flavorful sauce." ~Lucas Sin
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
02:26 - Prep the Aromatics
02:51 - Wash the Mushrooms
03:14 - Cooking the Mushrooms
04:40 - Test Kitchen Check In
07:38 - Test Kitchen Taste Test
GET THE RECIPES:
Braised Shiitake Mushrooms : f52.co/45Kf6yu
Yuzu Mushroom Martini: f52.co/45G7lte
PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
Five Two Carbon Steel Wok: f52.co/401TwUZ
MORE ABOUT WHY IT WORKS:
In this technique-driven series, Food52 Resident Lucas Sin dives into the reasoning behind the culinary methods he uses in the kitchen. We'll learn why certain Chinese cooking techniques work and how they can be applied beyond their traditional recipes. If you're looking to level up in the kitchen, this skill-centered series is a great place to start!
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