So many hearty fall recipes call for mushrooms, but the choices seem endless...portobello, oyster, white button... Don’t get overwhelmed! I teamed up with celebrity chef Michael Chiarello to dig up the dirt on these earthy autumn favorites.

choose To add richness, go for portobellos, shiitakes, porcini, or crimini. Want to make mushrooms the star of the dish? Pick morels, oysters, or chanterelles for their stand-alone flavor. A bit of shaved truffle will up the earthiness; mild white button mushrooms (you know, the ones you steered clear of as a kid) are a fab add-on in salad or on pizza.

buy Fresh mushrooms should be firm, crisp, and lightweight. And be sure they’re not waterlogged. “You don’t want to pay $12 a pound for water,” Chiarello says. You’ll find a big variety at specialty grocers and farmers’ markets. Check out Asian markets too -- their stock tends to be very affordable.

store Wrap mushrooms in a dry towel, drop in a paper bag, and refrigerate. They’ll keep for up to three days. How do you know when they’re past prime? Check for wrinkles or a dirty sock smell, Chiarello advises.

prep Before cooking, clean mushrooms with a soft-bristled brush or a slightly damp towel. Only wash them if you can’t get into every gill (swish ’em around in tepid water and dry in a well-ventilated spot). Last, trim off hard spots on the stem, or remove it entirely if it’s tough. Keep in mind: ’Shrooms are super-porous, so don’t over-marinate.

cook Mushrooms love to be browned over high heat. Use a big skillet so they fit in a single layer -- they’ll cook evenly and won’t get steamed instead. Swirl gently, wait ’til they’re caramelized on the bottom, then flip.

eat Mushroom-lovers don’t need any encouragement, but if you’re not a fan (yet), try them in stew. Just saute as directed above, then toss them into the pot. They’ll take on the flavor of the dish.

My favorite mushroom dish of late? Porcini frittata -- it’s a great option for any meal of the day!

Click here for more tasty mushroom recipe ideas.

-- Ellie Martin Cliffe

Oct 01, 2009

See More: Recipes , How to , Healthy Eating , Food & Recipes , Dinner