Many mushrooms, if acquired nice and fresh, can be stored in the fridge for at least a couple of weeks using the following method.
1. Carefully trim away any dirty or slimy spots using a sharp paring knife.
2. Use a mushroom brush and/or slightly damp cloth to wipe the mushrooms clean. Do not rinse them in water, which dramatically shortens their lifespan.
3. Place the mushrooms in a ceramic, earthenware or glass bowl, making sure that the top surface of the mushrooms is well below the rim of the bowl.
4. Soak a clean dish towel with cold water, wring it out and place it over the bowl. Make sure there is no direct contact between the damp towel and the mushrooms.
5. Store the mushrooms in the refrigerator, remoistening the towel as needed every day or two.
6. When replacing the damp towel, take a look at the mushrooms to be sure nothing is beginning to look spoiled, dried out or strange.
7. If you see signs of trouble, protect the batch by removing the bad mushroom or cutting off the offending part.
Barbara Adams Beyond Wonderful
Cooking Tips and Techniques
by Mushroom Expert, Charmoon Richardson
