Did you know that you can buy coffee that’s made with coffee grounds and Lions Mane mushrooms? Lions Mane mushrooms came to prominence during World War II when Finnish soldiers couldn’t get their hands on coffee. They started grinding up mushrooms and using those to make coffee. Now, you can buy coffee that’s made with mushrooms.
A lion’s mane mushroom recipe isn’t really that much different than other mushroom recipes except for the slight difference in flavor you get.
Lion’s mane mushrooms, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, might not be a part of your everyday vocabulary, but their potential health benefits are worth exploring. As you delve into the world of these fascinating fungi, you’ll discover their unique properties and capabilities.
Found in North America, Europe, and Asia, lion’s mane mushrooms can be easily identified by their distinctive appearance. These fungi resemble a cluster of white icicles, which can make them an eye-catching addition to your culinary creations. When it comes to their flavor, many find them quite palatable, with a taste and texture similar to seafood.
Research has linked lion’s mane mushrooms to numerous health benefits, such as improving cognitive function, reducing inflammation, and bolstering the immune system. As you continue to learn about this exceptional mushroom, you may find it to be a valuable addition to your journey toward optimal health.
You can pick up lion mushroom at your local grocery store or you might need to head to a health food store where they carry more varieties of mushrooms.
Each lion’s mane recipe below comes packed with flavor and is also super easy for you to make at home.
Cooking lion’s man mushroom is easy to do once you get the hang of it so keep reading to learn more about this unique mushroom and what you can do with it.
Exactly what is a lion’s mane mushroom?
Lion’s man mushroom is a type of mushroom that is known for its unique appearance and earthy taste.
It can be found in a variety of different colors but it is mostly white with some tints of orange or yellow.
The texture of this mushroom is dense and chewy, which is probably why people love adding it to their recipes so much because of how satisfying it tastes.
The mushroom itself looks like a big ball with tons of thin hair strands coming off of it. It looks a lot like a fuzzy ball that kids play with that has tendril like strings coming off of it.
Lion’s mane mushroom usually grows in one large clump although you might notice several clumps together if you see them out in the wild.
Lion’s mane usually grows on both conifer trees and hardwood trees in late summer, fall, or early winter.
It’s native to Canada, North America, and Asia but since it’s such a unique mushroom it has been spread around the world where people enjoy making recipes with lion’s mane.
If you want a fun project you can take the kids out to a wild preserve and pick your own lion’s mane mushroom for eating.
Although there hasn’t been a lot of evidence to back up the health benefits of lions mane recipe, the taste makes it well worth adding it to your meals.
How to store and clean lion’s mane mushrooms
Lion’s mane mushrooms need air circulation in order for them to stay healthy and good to eat.
It’s also true that the colder temps will help keep the fresh mushrooms in better conditions as opposed to keeping them in the heat or directly hit by the sun.
The fridge is going to be the ideal location to store your lion’s mane mushroom but you don’t want to just stick them in without any protection.
They could release spores that would end up getting on your other foods and the direct exposure to air would cause them to dry out or become bad.
What you want to do is stick them in a brown paper bag with the top folded down so they have some protection but it’s also possible to get slight air circulation.
You don’t want to stick them in a drawer in the fridge because this could also leave them without enough air circulation.
Whenever you’re ready to eat them, make sure to give them a quick wash before cooking.
Since these mushrooms grow on wood, there could be some excess dirt or debris that you wouldn’t want to eat.
Don’t soak them in water though or keep them under running water for too long. They will end up getting soggy and won’t be any good to cook.
Exactly how to cook lion’s mane mushrooms
When harvesting lion’s mane, it will come as a big block of mushroom almost how cauliflower looks.
But instead of tearing the cauliflower like you would broccoli florets, you can simply cut right into the mass to create half an inch pieces that are flat. You can probably create two or three depending on how big your lion’s mane is.
The entire mushroom is edible so you don’t have to worry about cutting off pieces when cooking lion’s mane mushroom.
Ways to serve this lion’s mane mushroom recipe
You can use a lions mane mushroom recipe to please any palate because this mushroom is adaptable to almost any dish.
Want to keep your lions mane as a side dish? No problem! Cut them up into smaller pieces so they can be bite size and season or marinate them as you normally would for a great complement to your dishes.
You’ll also find lion’s mane mushroom taste great inside a sandwich so you can substitute lions mane for any other type of mushroom a recipe calls for.
You can even use them as a substitute for meat in any dish you want because the mushroom has a meaty flavor and texture.
You can pretty much use this ingredient for any recipe like a stir fry or crab cakes so you’re only limited by your imagination.
More types of mushrooms
Lion’s mane mushrooms aren’t the only type of mushroom around and there are actually tons of different varieties you can try in your recipes.
Cremini mushrooms are one of the most popular types of mushroom but you can also try shiitake mushrooms, which are great in Asian dishes.
If you want something more wild, it’s even possible to buy wild hen of the woods mushrooms or oyster mushrooms.
The nice thing about these is since they are all different types it’ll be easy for you to experiment with different flavors and textures.
Beech mushrooms are a lot smaller and have a delicate flavor that makes them ideal for sprinkling over certain dishes.
If you have children or younger family members, this mushroom would be a great way to introduce them to the wonderful world of mushrooms and get them acquainted with different flavors without fear of it being too strong.
Portobello is another popular choice from the fungi family and they add a great meaty texture to your recipes.
If you’re trying to eat healthily, this is an easy mushroom for you to use that has a hint of saltiness that would be ideal in salads or other dishes that allow mushrooms.
Enoki mushrooms are more common in Asian cuisine but they are also becoming more popular in the west.
This type of mushroom has a longer stem and is actually attached to another bunch on each other so it’s easier for you to grow so many mushrooms at one time.
If you’re looking for an ingredient that can get you off the meat addiction this lion mane’s steak recipe is the one for you.
All you need is a handful of ingredients to turn this simple mushroom into a dish that is so good and flavorful, you’ll never want to eat meat again.
It’s the perfect one to serve the family when you’re trying to get everyone to eat healthily.
You don’t even have to change up your side game at all, just make the classic mashed potatoes and some asparagus and your steak night will be good to go.
If you like seafood, there’s nothing better than this lion mane lobster roll recipe.
It’s a fabulous dish that you can serve to the family whenever they come over for dinner and since it doesn’t take long to make, you won’t have to stress about getting something on the table quickly.
You don’t have to be from the northeast to enjoy a great lobster roll sandwich and with some lions mane added in you might even add this to your regular rotation.
There’s a ton of ingredients in this lion mane crab cake recipe but it is well worth it taking the time to put it all together because it tastes absolutely delicious.
You’ll be cutting up pieces of lions mane and smashing them together with your other ingredients to make your cakes.
You can even substitute out the meat in this recipe because it is so good you won’t need any help from the crab.
The choice is up to you but once you try these Lion Mane Crab Cakes, you’ll never go back to the store bought kind again.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Guide (+Lion Mane Tacos)
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
