Mushrooms – the umami rich ingredient that come in many different varieties – can make for some fantastic snacks due to their unique flavours and textures. Depending on the type of mushrooms that are used in cooking and how we can harness maximum flavour, these fungi can be enjoyable to cook with while making meals, small plates and snacks. Due to their tendency to absorb flavours from spices and aromatics, mushrooms are the perfect ingredient to pair with vegetables, meats and seafood to create lip-smacking combinations.
When cooked the right way, mushrooms can react in interesting ways – right from provding the meaty texture to stews, stir fries and curries to turning crunchy and ‘fibrous’ in a way, when coated with batter and deep fried. In the vein of its ability to adapt itself to recipes of all kinds and being a fairly reasonable ingredient to cook with, here are eight delicious mushroom snacks to enjoy.
Stuffed Portobellos
Image Credits: The Sophisticated Caveman
Buying large portobello mushrooms that can be hollowed out and filled with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, herbs and breadcrumbs is a delicious snack to enjoy with some cold beer or a cocktail. Bake the mushrooms or pan fry them until they're golden brown and delicious and finish off with a healthy drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of fresh herbs.
Mushroom 65
Image Credits: The Vegan Planet Kitchen
A spicy vegetarian counterpart to India’s chicken 65, the mushroom version is equally fiery when coated and deep-fried with a reddish batter and flavoured with curry leaves and quintessential South Indian spices. The rice flour used in the batter gives the mushrooms a crispy-juicy texture, making it the perfect snack to enjoy in the evening with some coffee or to eat as an accompaniment to drinks.
Mushroom Chips
Image Credits: Anil Organics
Looking for a crunchy, salty snack that is also low on calories? Make mushroom chips. Simply slice mushrooms of your choice thinly, toss them in olive oil, season with salt, pepper and your favourite spices before air frying until crispy. These make for a healthy and crunchy snack that can be eaten as is or paired with a creamy hummus dip or pate to enjoy with a group of people. Use mushroom chips to also add texture to your salads and pastas by making an extra batch.
Mushroom Tikka
Image Credits: Hira Sweets
Take a break from paneer, chicken, fish or broccoli to make delicious mushroom tikkas marinated with yoghurt, aromatics, whole spices and grilled in a tandoor. The umami-rich morsels of mushroom take on the smoky flavour of the grill, enhancing its texture and allowing its juices to make the mushrooms moist on the inside. For a vegan take on the recipe, use a plant-based yoghurt and amp up the garam masala, for more flavour and aroma.
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Mushroom Bruschetta
Image Credits: PBS
A form of open toasts that can be eaten as canapes or even for breakfast, the mushroom bruschetta is a simple and quick-fix snack to enjoy on busy days. Sauté mushrooms with garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs and serve on toasted baguette slices, drizzled with balsamic glaze for a delightful appetizer. Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavour and spread a layer of hummus or guacamole on your toast, to make it a filling snack.
Mushroom & Cheese Puffs
Image Credits: I Am Homesteader
A light, savoury and creamy canape, these mushroom and cheese puffs celebrate the classic flavour combination of salty and umami in the best way possible. All you have to do is fill up frozen puff pastry squares with a mixture of sautéed mushrooms, cheese and herbs, and bake until they're golden brown and puffed up. Enjoy with a glass of wine on a relaxed evening as a meal for one or a snack for two or more.
Mushroom Pepper Fry
Image Credits: Yummy Food Recipes
A fiery Kerala-style dry preparation, this mushroom pepper fry is made with a generous dusting of freshly crushed black pepper powder and tossed with coconut oil, mustard seeds and curry leaves. A toddy shop delicacy for vegetarians, this snack is perfect to eat on its own, paired with some fresh bread or appams for a meal or to be eaten with rice, curry and yoghurt on the side. Toss cleaned and diced button mushrooms in some coconut oil, aromatics and a dusting of generic spice powders – red chilli, coriander and turmeric, before finishing off with pepper.