Renowned Australian home cook Ash Pollard is teaming up with Australian Mushrooms to inspire a fresh take on cooking with mushrooms, featuring the iconic brown paper mushroom bag.
Shake up your dinner routine and say goodbye to boring, uninspired meals! With 4 in 5 Aussies on the lookout for simple cooking hacks to make dinner more fun, this summer, I’m all about shaking things up—literally! Let me introduce you to my latest kitchen obsession: the Shaker Bag Mushroom trend. I’ve always been keen to discover more ways to cook with mushrooms as they’re so delicious, versatile and tasty. And it then got me thinking, why don’t we reuse the iconic brown paper bag?
The Shaker Bag Mushroom Trend: More Mmmm in Every Bite
If you’ve seen me in the kitchen lately, you’ll know I love a cooking hack that delivers maximum flavour with minimal effort. Enter: the Shaker Bag Mushroom trend. It’s as simple as it sounds: grab some fresh Australian Mushrooms sliced or whole, pop them into the brown paper bag they come in (yes, the one from the supermarket) and flick some droplets of water into the bag. Next, add your favourite seasoning, seal the bag, and shake, shake, shake! What you get are flavour-packed, perfectly coated mushrooms that will add depth of character to everyday meaty or meat-free dinners.
Mushrooms That Steal the Show
Boring meals? Not in my kitchen! This summer, I’ve been using the Shaker Bag Mushroom trend to create quick, delicious meals my whole family loves – including my kidlets, Clementine and Claudette. From Mexican Chilli Con Carne to Smokey BBQ brisket inspired flavours, I’m proving that a simple shake can turn everyday meals into something extraordinary.
Meat lovers, trust me – this is the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed for steak night. And if you’re a vegetarian? Well, say hello to your new go-to dish.
Prep, Shake & Devour: How to Join the Shaker Bag Mushroom Trend
The best part? This trend is ridiculously easy. No fancy gadgets, no long prep – just a brown paper bag, fresh mushrooms, and a few flavour-packed ingredients.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Bag It
Pick up your favourite Australian Mushrooms (think white button, Swiss brown or white flat mushrooms) and toss them straight into the iconic brown paper mushroom bag you got from the store. You can slice them to your preferred thickness or chuck them in whole (depending on the recipe and your preference). If you don’t have one handy, any clean paper bag will do. Then, flick a little water into the bag with your fingertips.
2. Season Like You Mean It
This is where the magic happens—add your spices and pantry staples into the bag from my recipes. Whether you’re after smoky BBQ richness, bold Mexican spice, fresh Greek zest, or classic Caesar savouriness, the right seasoning brings your dish to life! Find some of my favourite recipes here.
3. Shake It Off (Into the Pan)
Seal the bag and shake with enthusiasm. This is a full-body experience – channel your inner chef (or breakdancer!), pretend you’re in a cooking show, dance and shake it to the new ‘Shake That Mushroom Shaker Bag’ song on TikTok – and do whatever it takes to shake the flavour goodness into your mushies. Once evenly coated, grill your seasoned mushrooms on a BBQ or stovetop and let the sizzle do the rest.
4. Serve & Bask in the Glory
Throw your deliciously seasoned, golden mushrooms in a taco, mix them into a salad, or pile them high on a pita. Whatever you do, don’t let them sit in the background. These mushrooms are the moment.
Why This Trend is Worth the Hype
Aussies love a good food trend, but the Shaker Bag Mushroom trend is more than just a viral moment – it’s a game-changer for home cooks everywhere. Here’s why:
- It’s Effortlessly Delicious – Maximum flavour, minimal effort.
- Perfect for those evenings when you want a tasty meal without the hassle!
- It’s Perfect for Meat-Eaters and Vegetarians – Whether you’re building a hearty meal around mushrooms or pairing them with your favourites, they’re a winner for everyone.
- It’s Just Plain Fun – Who doesn’t love a little interactive cooking moment with family and friends (or even solo)?
So, if you’re ready to take your meals up a notch and shake some serious ‘Mmmm’ into your meals, this is your sign. If it’s good enough for my family, it’s definitely good enough for your next barbecue, dinner party, or lazy weeknight meal.
Now, go forth and shake like your meal depends on it – because honestly, it just might!