Instructions: Q. Why do some recipes using portobello mushrooms call for removing the gills? What are the consequences of non-removal?

A. If the recipe is for a stuffed mushroom, you remove the gills probably just to make more room for the stuffing. More often, though, the gills are removed because they will color whatever youre cooking with quite a strong dark gray color. Generally, if youre making a cream of mushroom soup or other light or clear sauce containing mushrooms, you choose mushrooms with closed caps. The caps begin to open and the gills darken substantially as the mushrooms become more mature, and those open gills spill thousands of dark spores into whatever youre cooking - tending to turn light dishes dark gray.

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