Dried Porcini Mushrooms
By: Anonymous

About

Porcini can be found in the wild during late summer and autumn in the Alpine regions of Italy and France (where they are known as ceps). As the mushrooms are available for a very limited period each year the dried variety are a popular substitute. They have a beautiful earthy aroma and rich flavour, and as they are much more intense than fresh porcini, a little goes a long way. 
They are wonderful in risotto, pasta dishes, sauces, hearty stews and soups.

Information
Other names: Cèp, Boletus Edulis
Translations: Žāvēti Porcini Sēnes, Džiovinti Porcini Grybai, Ciuperci uscate Porcini, Osušeni vrganjima, Khô Porcini Nấm, Suszone borowiki, Gedroogde Porcini Paddestoelen, सूख Porcini मशरूम, Cogumelos secos Porcini, Сушеных белых грибов, Αποξηραμένα μανιτάρια Porcini, المجففة Porcini الفطر., 마른 버섯 Porcini, Sušené hříbky, Гљиве сушене Вргањ, Tuyo Porcini mushrooms, 牛肝菌干, Bolets seques, Suhe gobe jurčki, Sušené hríbiky, Funghi porcini secchi, פטריות פורצ 'יני מיובשות, Torkade porcini, Jamur porcini kering, 乾燥ポルチーニ茸, Cèpes séchés, Getrocknete Steinpilze, Tørrede Porcini Svampe, Tørket porcini-sopp, Setas secas, Сушених білих грибів, Kuivattuja Porcini sieniä, Сушени гъби Porcini


Physical Description
A rich meaty flavored mushroom that has a large, round cap, pale yellowish brown to dark reddish brown in color, that grows 2 to 12 inches in width and may reach several pounds in weight. As the mushroom matures and turns darker in color, pores develop on the underside of the cap that become yellow in color. 
Colors: Brown


Tasting Notes
Flavors: Earthy, savory
Mouthfeel: Meaty
Food complements: Soup, Meat
Wine complements: Dolcetto, Syrah
Substitutes: Other mushroom varities, Baby portobellos


Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december
Peak: june, july, august, september, opctober, november
Choosing: Choose those that are fresh looking and have firm caps and stems, avoiding mushrooms with shriveled caps, dried stems or noticable blemishes. 
Buying: Some grocery stores, gourmet and French food stores, health food stores and on line.
Procuring: Common to France and North America, they are foraged in the forest.


Preparation and Use
The mushrooms can be broiled, sautéed, stewed, or baked as ingredients with other foods.
Cleaning: To prepare the dried mushrooms for cooking, soak for about 15 minutes in boiling water before use to rehydrate them (do not discard the soaking liquid which is useful for soup and sauce bases, or as a substitute to stock in risottos).


Conserving and Storing
Dried mushrooms may be stored indefinitely. Best to put them in a cool, dark place.


Social/Political
Common to France and North America
History: The name Porcini comes from porcinus, which means ‘like a pig’ (porcus), perhaps because the mushrooms are fat like little pigs. In England, porcini were known as Penny Buns, but these days most people know them by their French name, ceps.