These are some of the most beautiful shiitake mushrooms I have ever seen. I use them mostly in soups and stews. Some people find the mouthfeel a little too chewy unless they are sliced fairly thin, and cooked for a decent amount of time in a soup, sauce, or stew. When cooked in this way they add a great textural component, and they can also be used as a substitute for meat in various dishes. They can work great in a vegetarian chili! These mushrooms were grown by River Valley Ranch in Burliington, WI, and delivered to us by a local community supported agriculture business. You can learn more about River Valley Ranch on their website.