Living in Oregon, I always enjoy discovering and supporting local companies, especially those growing something so wonderful right here in this beautiful state. Recently, I was introduced to Rise & Shine Mushrooms, a specialty mushroom farm located in Oregon’s gorgeous Applegate Valley.
As someone who absolutely loves mushrooms, I was excited to learn more about all of the different varieties they offer—and these definitely aren’t your ordinary grocery store mushrooms!
Meet Rise & Shine Mushrooms
Rise & Shine Mushrooms grows premium gourmet mushrooms on a diverse 500-acre working ranch in Southern Oregon. Along with mushroom cultivation, the farm also produces seasonal fruits and vegetables and two vineyards, all with an emphasis on responsible agriculture and respect for the land.
I especially appreciate Rise & Shine’s focus on sustainability. Their growing practices include responsible water and energy use, composting and recycling organic materials, conserving resources, and reducing waste whenever possible. But of course, the mushrooms are their specialty!
So Many Beautiful Mushroom Varieties
One of the things I didn’t realize until discovering Rise & Shine was just how many interesting varieties of culinary mushrooms there are. Here are a few of them:
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms has to be one of the most fascinating. With its fluffy, almost cascading appearance, it looks completely different from the mushrooms most of us are accustomed to seeing. It has a tender texture and delicate, almost seafood-like flavor, making it especially good pan-seared or used as a plant-based alternative in dishes such as “crab” cakes.
Fresh Chestnut Mushrooms are lovely little brown mushrooms with a slightly nutty, earthy flavor and a pleasantly firm texture. They hold up especially well when cooked, making them delicious sautéed in butter or olive oil, roasted, or added to pasta, risotto, soups and stir-fries. Their rich flavor also makes them a wonderful addition to simple dishes where the mushrooms can really shine.
Pearl Oyster Mushrooms are mild and versatile, which makes them an easy mushroom to add to pizza, pasta, cream sauces, or grilled dishes.
Pink Oyster Mushrooms. Their vibrant pink color almost makes them too pretty to cook! They have a subtly sweet, earthy flavor and can add both color and texture to a dish.
King Trumpet Mushrooms are thick, dense and meaty. They’re especially good for searing because they caramelize beautifully, and their large stems can even be sliced into rounds and prepared like scallops.
Shiitake Mushrooms are probably one of the more familiar varieties. Their deep, earthy flavor makes them perfect for ramen, stir-fries, sauces, soups and roasted vegetable dishes.
Maitake Mushrooms, also known as Hen of the Woods, has a wonderful texture and bold, earthy flavor. It’s especially delicious roasted or sautéed and added to grain bowls, pasta or seasonal dishes.
Delicious and Nutritious
Rise & Shine sent me a wonderful variety of their gourmet mushrooms to sample. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not exactly a pro when it comes to cooking, so fancy recipes really aren’t my thing.
I actually enjoy some mushrooms raw, especially sliced up and tossed into a fresh salad. And since mushrooms are a great source of nutrients such as B vitamins, minerals and antioxidants while also being naturally low in calories, that makes me love them even more!
For the ones do I cook, I like to keep it simple. Thankfully, mushrooms really don’t require a lot of fuss to be delicious. My favorite way to prepare them is simply sautéed in a little butter or olive oil with fresh garlic until they’re beautifully browned and slightly crispy around the edges. Add a little salt and pepper, maybe some fresh herbs, and I could eat them straight out of the pan. (Which I often do.)
I’ve always loved mushrooms, but discovering Rise & Shine has opened my eyes to just how many amazing gourmet varieties there are beyond the mushrooms I usually buy at the grocery store. And I love that they’re being grown right here in Oregon!
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