Shittake: Tea, Powder, dried the health benefits

Shittakes have been used in Asian cooking and considered a symbol of longevity for over 6,ooo years. It is only recent years that it has hit the mainstream American diet, and Fruit of the Fungi brings a great variety to the Shed. From fresh during growing season to dried, powder and tea.

                         

The Shittake has been long known to help support the immune system, it also has been recently shown to a great aid to cardiovascular system. In recent studies it has been shown that Shittake mushroom can help protect the lining of the blood vessels, this great news to help in the prevention of atherosclerosis (build up of "fatty" tissue in the arteries).

Shittakes are a great source of Iron and also known for their valuable nutrients from Vitamin B (3, 5, 2) to manganese to vitamin D and great source of fiber, protein and more.

So work in a cup a Shittake tea daily and check out this recipe for mushroom cream sauce and a few ways to use it the kitchen. And keep coming back as I work more recipes that will include these beauties!

Mushroom Cream sauce:

1 c heavy cream

1 tsp ground white pepper

1/2 tsp kosher salt

4oz Fruit of the Fungi Mushroom Powder

Bring cream to a simmer and whisk in remaining ingredients. Let this simmer until reduce to a thicker sauce, reduce to 3/4 c.

Use to make a great steak sub:

1 pkg Sunnybrook Shaved steak, thawed and chopped

1 onion diced (hopefully we all froze some from the Farm or Old Path)

1/2 pkg of Winter Sun mix peppers

1 garlic clove minced

1 recipe of Fruit of the Fungi cream sauce

1/2 c of MVD Jarlsberg (or your fav melting cheese from the Shed), shredded

Rolls (4)

Make mushroom sauce and once thickened add in cheese to melt over low heat while you make the steak mixture.

In a large skillet heat 2 tbsp olive oil over md/high heat. Add in onion,pepper and garlic. Stir often and let the onion and pepper to just take on color. Add in chopped steak and saute until the meat is not longer pink, not long at all 2-3 minutes.

Drain off any liquid. Split rolls and divide steak evenly over the rolls. Cover with Mushroom Cheese sauce.

Ideas for use of sauce:

Instead of rolls how about a steak pizza? Use you favorite pizza dough to form pizza shell, spread with Mushroom sauce (with out cheese) top with leftover London Broil sliced thin, add some Winter Sun Broccoli and some Dutch Girl Softy cheese. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

Or how about make the Mushroom sauce with cheese and toss with veggies of choice and some pasta for a quick meal.

Or make a soup and add in the Mushroom Sauce to have a great creamy mushroom flavor.