Porcini vs Shiitake Mushrooms?

lyl_guy, Jan 2, 4:25am
Please help, oh experienced cooks amongst you!I have a recipe for chicken/porcini risotto, but I only have shiitake mushrooms. the porcini were SO expensive when I saw them last.

They're both dried and need soaking. but are they interchangeable!Is there a big difference!I tried google, but she didn't tell me a lot!

davidt4, Jan 2, 4:44am
They taste completely different when dried.If you want to use shiitakes in a rice dish I suggest that you make an Asian version and add flavours such as fresh ginger, garlic, soy sauce.If you try to make a risotto with them it could be okay but probably would taste weird, especially if you include parmesan.

lyl_guy, Jan 2, 6:49am
Thanks for that. I used the shiitakes in the risotto, and it was really nice. Had a more 'delicate' flavour than I expected as I read they're very "earthy" tasting.They were absolutely fine, even though it did involve parmesan, lol.The other flavours in it were mainly fresh thyme and garlic.