When I was little I was told not to touch any mushrooms that grew in the surrounding ,as it is a haven for snakes and I used to think ,that explains why it looks like an umbrella,probably an umbrella for snakes ! I used to just hate mushrooms -by looks and even by taste . I hardly ate any mushroom dishes . There is just one dish which I would give a shot though - Kerala special mushroom stir fry a.k.a koon thoran in Malayalam.
However, as I grew up I came to know the benefits of mushrooms like mushrooms are quite nutritious - are antibacterial,anti-inflammatory and antioxidants meaning they help a lot in reducing blood pressure,cholesterol,even blood sugar/diabetes,stress,enhance immune system ,aids in weight loss and helps in fighting cancers like breast cancer,prostate cancer as well .That's why Chinese medicines have used mushrooms immensely and effectively for centuries . (Credit :Organicfacts.net)
And the reason why I was told not to touch mushrooms is probably because a lot of mushrooms growing in wild which resembles the edible mushrooms are highly poisonous which can even lead to coma or death. It is suggested by the nutritionist to buy mushrooms from reputed sources only ,that are well packaged at market .
DID YOU KNOW -Some fun facts about mushrooms :
(Credit:Sciencekids.co.nz and 100thmonkeymushrooms.com)
- Mushrooms are fungus and have no chlorophyll,they don't need sunlight to grow ,they grow by extracting nutrients from dead /decaying plants etc .
- Mushrooms have DNA that closely resembles to humans than plants. :O
- Like human skin,when exposed to sunlight ,mushrooms can produce Vitamin D which rarely any plant does.
- Mushrooms have 90%water content.
- Mushrooms are also called "Toadstools" :D
- A single portbella mushroom contains more potassium content than a banana.
- There are special kind of mushrooms that can even glow in dark.
- Mushrooms were used as natural dyes to dye wool and natural fibers.
Anyways,I am gonna share how to make Kerala special mushroom stir fry with a coconut paste that goes well with boiled rice and any curry of your choice or as you wish :
Mushroom stir fry|Kerala koon thoran
Ingredients
Mushroom,(I used button mushroom) - 150 gm
Turmeric powder - 1 Tsp
Shallots,chopped - 1-2 nos.
Green chillies,chopped - 1-3 nos
Curry leaves,a few
Coconut - 3/4 cup
Garlic,big - 1 no
Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp
Broken dry red chillies - 1-2 nos.
Coconut oil - 1 -2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Add a 1-2 Tsp of pepper powder to make it spicy mushroom stir fry.
Salt to taste
Add a 1-2 Tsp of pepper powder to make it spicy mushroom stir fry.
Method:
Please check out my video that will show you how to make mushroom Kerala style at home :
