Mushrooms are a versatile little plant that can be used and served in many different ways. As one of the future foods for living a sustainable lifestyle, mushrooms are becoming the heroes of many dishes thanks to the fact that they pair well with many different kinds of flavours and are inexpensive to buy. We take a look at the different types of mushrooms you can get in South Africa including mushroom recipes that everyone in the family will love.

What Types of Mushrooms Are good To Cook With?

Did you know there are over 20 different types of mushrooms you can eat? Many of us don’t know that because we tend to see and use the same kinds of mushrooms that are available in the retail stores. The most popular kinds of mushrooms to use in mushroom dishes are;
Button Mushrooms – also called white mushrooms or baby mushrooms, these lovely little things are the most popular mushroom types available.

Portobello Mushrooms – these are button mushrooms, all grown up. They are large and often used in recipes where the mushroom is the hero like vegan burgers. Porcini Mushrooms – super popular in Italian recipes thanks to their creamy and slightly nutty flavour.
Chanterelle Mushrooms – they are distinctive by their yellow colour and are often paired with egg in dishes thanks to their unusual mix of sweet and peppery flavour.

Mushroom Recipes You Can Make At Home

At What’s For Dinner, we have a host of simple mushroom recipes that are easy to make and, more importantly, absolutely delicious. Mushrooms have a lot of health benefits including lowering cholesterol and inflammation, offering cancer-fighting properties and being high in vitamin B and D.Here are our top three best mushroom recipes that we guarantee will be a hit with the whole family.

Roasted Butternut Stuffed with Quinoa, Spinach and Mushrooms

This mushroom recipe idea makes a great side dish for any braai or can be the main course on its own too. It’s zesty, it’s sweet and it’s completely plant based. Read the full recipe now.

Sticky Mushroom Tacos with A Herb Dressing

Who doesn’t love a good taco, right? Swap out the mince for mushrooms in this vegan recipe that is packed with healthy veggies and is sweet and sticky to boot. Read the full recipe now.

Mushroom and Asparagus Vegan Pasta with Mushrooms and Cashews

This recipe is guaranteed to be a hit no matter the season. It’s the perfect winter’s evening dish or it can be served with a salad on a warm summer’s evening. Read the full recipe now.

The Health Benefits of Including Mushrooms In Your Diet

Mushrooms are surprisingly powerful little veggies. They have been proven to help the body in many ways including helping to boost immunity, offering cancer-fighting properties, and lowering cholesterol. Plus, they have anti-inflammatory properties and are very high in vitamin B and D.

What Mushrooms Are Good to Cook With?

When buying mushrooms, make sure you buy them from a reputable retailer or vegetable shop that you trust. Always check the expiry date on the packaging too. If you’re going to be picking your own mushies for a mushroom meal, it’s best to be absolutely sure that they are edible before you eat them.Wondering where to find mushroom recipes? Browse Whats For Dinner today to find a wide variety of mouth-watering mushroom recipes.