Mushroom Madness

By Meredith McGrath RD, LDN Corporate Dietitian

Mushrooms supply significant amounts of B vitamins, fiber and potassium that help regulate blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and improve heart health. These powerhouse immune boosters are known for their “umami,” the fifth dimension of taste that is savory and broth-like. Follow our guide below on how to choose and prep popular mushroom varieties.

Choosing, Prepping & Storing

Avoid shriveled, bruised varieties and choose mushrooms that are firm with a smooth texture. Look for mushrooms with stems that are uniform in color and store them in a paper bag up to one week in the refrigerator. Instead of rinsing mushrooms, wipe them clean with a damp paper towel. Mushrooms are delicate and getting them wet can affect their flavor and ability to get golden brown and crispy.

Cremini

With a rich flavor and a light brown, plump cap, cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) are excellent in pasta dishes, quiches and omelets. They’re also a tasty vessel for flavorful fillings; stuff cremini mushrooms with your favorite cheese and herb mixture and bake them to perfection.

Shiitake

Originating in Japan and Korea, shiitake mushrooms boast smooth, dark brown caps and add delicious, smoky tastes to Asian-inspired dishes. Their full-bodied flavor is well balanced with slightly acidic notes. Though frequently found in stir-fries, they are also perfect sautéed and stirred into scrambled eggs or added to a filling for lettuce wraps.

Portobello

With a large, flat cap and fi rm texture, portobellos have a notable earthy flavor and a meat-like flesh. Whether grilled, sautéed or roasted, portobello mushrooms are popular served as a burger patty alternative, sliced for fajitas or as an addition to pasta dishes and salads.

Redner’s Warehouse Markets

On March 1, 1970, Earl and Mary Redner placed their savings and faith into Earl’s dream to open a grocery store, and run it his way. Forty-five years and 53 stores later, Earl’s purchase of two failing stores has blossomed into the fulfillment of his dream to operate a successful family, employee, and locally-owned company throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.

Redner’s prides itself on being an adaptable and flexible company, able to accommodate to industry changes. Redner’s was the first supermarket in Pennsylvania to have scanners, the first to have a recycling program, one of the first to have in store pharmacies, salad bars, and the first employee-owned supermarket in the United States. Redner’s is committed to supporting the local community in which each Warehouse Market and Quick Shoppe is located, through a variety of supportive partnerships, community outreach, and enrichment programs. Through their HealthCents program, featuring dietician Meredith McGrath, RD LDN, Redner’s is dedicated to improving the well-being of their customers. This program offers consumers practical nutrition and lifestyle advice for incorporating a wide variety of foods in a healthful diet and lifestyle, and making healthy choices that are affordable and easy to apply to everyday life. We are honored and proud to call Redner’s a loyal community supporter and sponsor of Guts and Glory since our inception. Look for them every year at Guts and Glory Digestive and Wellness Expo, and learn how you can make healthier nutritional choices!