Food - Drink
Why You Should Be Scoring The Caps Of Portobello Mushrooms
By HALDAN KIRSCH
If you’re trying to eat less meat, there’s no better time to start than the present, and, with their meaty texture and earthy flavor, there’s no better substitute than mushrooms. Portobello mushrooms are a great place to start, and learning how to properly prepare and cook them can help you enjoy them all the more.
After removing the gills on the underside and the stem, which is quite woody and fibrous, wash your Portobello mushroom, and then lightly score the surface of your Portobello cap with a paring knife. Because mushrooms have a high water content, scoring the cap helps water release as steam while the mushroom cooks.
Additionally, the light scoring helps your mushroom absorb the flavor of any marinades, sauces, or seasonings more easily, imbuing your mushroom with more flavor as well as shortening the cooking time. Lastly, if you’re cooking more than one mushroom, don’t crowd them together, as this causes extra steam and can reverse the effects of scoring the cap.