ValueGourmet Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, 2 ounce package

Dried shiitake mushrooms can easily add deep savory flavor, umami, to dishes. I like to think of them as healthy little punches of flavor since they contain no fat, and even vegans can eat them. Having dried shiitake mushrooms stocked in your pantry means that you always have a flavorful ingredient at your fingertips. They can last for months, maybe even years, if stored in an airtight container in a cool place or the refrigerator. Reach for dried shiitake mushrooms when making Chinese sticky rice, soup or broth, and when you need another ingredient to add to a stir-fry. Another great thing about using dried mushrooms? Since you have to re-hydrate them in hot water before they can be used, the mushroom soaking liquid that you're left with is a tasty bonus ingredient! Don't waste that liquid - use it in the place of chicken broth or as the base of a sauce. Shiitake is also commonly called "sawtooth oak mushroom", "black forest mushroom", "black mushroom", "golden oak mushroom", or "oakwood mushroom". Nutrition: In a 100 gram amount, raw shiitake mushrooms provide 34 calories and are 90% water, 7% carbohydrates, 2% protein and less than 1% fat . Raw shiitake mushrooms are rich sources (20% or more of the Daily Value) of B vitamins and contain moderate levels of some dietary minerals. When dried to about 10% water, the contents of numerous nutrients increase substantially. Uses: Dried shiitake have many uses in the cuisines of East Asia. In Japan, they are served in miso soup, used as the basis for a kind of vegetarian dashi, and as an ingredient in many steamed and simmered dishes. In Chinese cuisine, they are often sautéed in vegetarian dishes such as Buddha's delight. The Shiitake is a symbol of longevity due to their health promoting properties. Thanks to Wikipedia for providing the above information.