Week 5, Day 29: Shiitake mushrooms

I love mushrooms!  They are so tasty, they're absolutely beautiful, and they are full of nutrients that are great for our bodies.  They even protect against breast cancer!  It's a win-win situation, and they can lend great flavor to a lot of dishes.

Shiitake mushrooms are one of my favorite types.  These large shiitake mushrooms are cooking in thick slices in a pan with no oil or water: they release so much water, they cook in their own juice when covered with a lid!  I like this universal glass lid with a folding handle I got from Ikea because I can see my mushrooms start to cook. 

After they've cooked in their own juices for a few minutes, I remove the lid, and I let the liquid evaporate until the mushrooms start to semi-roast in the pan to bring out their flavors.  Sometimes I mix in some finely mashed garlic for added flavor.