Foraged mushroom salt

Foraged mushroom salt has become a pantry staple for me. It adds such a wonderfully umami flavour to meals.

I mentioned in my Pine Mushroom Risotto recipe that I love to go mushroom foraging every year. That one calls for saffron milk cap mushrooms, which are one of two varieties found when mushroom foraging in Sydney. And a risotto is of course, just one of many ways you can use this seasonal specialty straight up.

Foraged mushrooms are pretty special though, so I often like to preserve my harvest to enjoy all year long. With that in mind, I have another recipe for you here that will do just that. It uses the other variety one finds when foraging, which are called slippery jacks (Suillus luteus).

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Health benefits of foraged mushroom salt

It’s true that we should be mindful of our salt intake for general good health. That being said – used wisely in the kitchen it is a wonderful tool to help bring out the flavour in a meal. Combining salt with something like deliciously pungent mushrooms takes it to a completely different level too.

As outlined in my earlier post – mushrooms have an array of health benefits. They support immune function, are anti-inflammatory, they’re rich in antioxidants and fibre and they contain a good amount of protein too. They also contain an abundance of nutrients, so should definitely have a place in your diet.

Can I use other mushrooms in this recipe?

If foraging for mushrooms isn’t your thing, you can definitely try using other varieties. I have no doubt they would work equally well. Something like porcini mushrooms or perhaps even shiitake mushrooms would be great.

If you do want to head on your own forage I can really recommend Moss House. Margaret is incredibly knowledgeable and will help you head home with a big haul.

I don’t have a dehydrator – can I do this in the oven?

Yes indeed. The steps are largely the same. However, you would simply add the mushrooms in a single layer on a baking paper lined baking tray and slowly dry on 50 degrees Celsius (120 F). I start checking mine at one hour but find they’re often done by one and a half. Everyone’s oven is different so I would definitely encourage you to check in on them at the hour mark too.

How can I use foraged mushroom salt?

Mushroom salt is just the same as other salt, although it is adding extra flavour. Sprinkle it over meaty dishes, add a pinch to miso soup or avocado toast or you can add a touch to your stews too.

If you would use this another way let me know in the comments.