Clean mushrooms just before using. Trim the stems but do not soak them; mushrooms are like sponges and will absorb water and become mushy. Instead, wipe them with a damp cloth or paper towel, or use a mushroom brush. If necessary, rinse mushrooms briefly under cool running water and blot dry with paper towels.

Paulette Mitchell, a culinary instructor, television personality, spokesperson, freelance food writer, and the award-winning author of 13 cookbooks, is known internationally for her quick-to-prepare recipes with gourmet flair. Paulette's most recently published cookbook is "The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet: Creative Cuisine Made Fast and Fresh." She is also the author of "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," which was voted "Best Book in the World on Cooking with Wine" at the 2005 Gourmand World Media Awards. Paulette says that international travel is her favorite source of culinary inspiration.