Kitchen Dictionary: porcino

A pale brown mushroom with a large bulbous stalk that weighs from an ounce up to a pound, with caps ranging in size from 1-10 inches in diameter. Porcini have a smooth meaty texture and a pungent, woodsy flavor. Fresh porcini are usually not available in the U.S., and the dried form is more readily available.

plural: porcini

Ingredient

Season: available year-round

How to select: Fresh: Choose firm, large caps with pale undersides. Dried: Choose porcini that are tan to light brown and not crumbly.

How to prepare: Soak dried porcini in hot water for 20 minutes before using.

Matches well with: butter, garlic, Marsala, olive oil, parsley, sage, sherry, thyme