White mushrooms bring a savoury, umami depth to countless UAE favourites, whether sautéed with garlic and butter as a side, folded into a creamy mushroom soup, tossed through pasta, or added to a quick Indo-Chinese stir fry with soy sauce and spring onion. Their mild flavour absorbs whatever they're cooked with, which is why cooks often finish them with a splash of soy sauce, a dash of pepper or a squeeze of lemon to bring out more character. Cooking mushrooms in a hot, dry pan first and adding oil or butter only once they've released their moisture helps them brown properly instead of turning rubbery or steaming in their own liquid. When buying, choose mushrooms that are firm, dry to the touch and pale in colour, with caps that are either closed or only slightly open around the stem, since dark gills or a slimy surface usually mean they're past their best. Rather than washing mushrooms under running water, a light brushing or wipe with a damp cloth keeps them from soaking up excess moisture, which affects how well they brown.

Store them in the refrigerator in a paper bag rather than plastic, since paper allows them to breathe and stay firm for longer. Mushrooms are naturally low in calories and one of the few plant foods to contain small amounts of vitamin D.

QuicKart delivers white mushrooms fresh across the UAE with free delivery on every order, ready for the pan.