Note: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Kristen, who loves using mushrooms in stroganoff (I do too!).
I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive when I was contacted about doing a review and giveaway of Back to the Roots Grow Your Own Mushroom Kits. While I love the idea of gardening, I definitely do not have a green thumb (except when I try to grow habaneros and end up with enough to last a lifetime). And something about growing mushrooms in the house weirds me out a little bit (I mean, it sounds like something you don’t want to grow).
But the more I read about this company, the more I started to think that it was really cool. It was started by two friends in their senior year of college who were inspired by a lecture about the ability to grow gourmet mushrooms in recycled coffee grounds. The soil inside these kits is actually 100% recycled Peet’s coffee, and they’re on track to reuse over 1 million pounds of coffee grounds this year – helping families grow over 250,000 pounds of fresh oyster mushrooms (up to a pound and a half of mushrooms per kit).
The other thing that I think is really cool is that if you take a photo of your mushroom crop and post it on their Facebook wall, they’ll donate a kit to the classroom of your choice. What a fun and cool way to get kids interested in food and science!
So despite my initial hesitations, I was really intrigued by what these folks were doing. After being reassured that growing my own mushrooms would be foolproof (and that there was no risk of the kit growing any unwanted molds) I said ok!
My mushrooms are growing now and are doing wonderfully – I should be able to harvest them in a few days. The kit really did make it fool proof – they even included a little spray bottle to help you mist them as they grow. I can’t wait to come up with a delicious recipe using my mushrooms and get my second crop growing (each box can produce 2-4 crops).
Do you want to try your hand at growing mushrooms too? They’ve generously offered to send one of my US readers their very own kit. To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite way to use fresh mushrooms. For an extra entry, “like” Back to the Roots on Facebook and leave a second comment letting me know that you did. I will pick a winner on Sunday, August 24.
If you don’t win or if you simple can’t wait any long to try growing your own mushrooms you can use the code mushrooms4me10 for 10% off. Grow Your Own Mushroom Garden Kits retail for $19.95 and replacement bags retail for $7.99. They can be purchased at TheMushroomKit.com and at Whole Foods.
FTC Disclosure: I received a Mushroom Kit to review for free. All opinions are my own.
Amber says
08/13 at 5:46 pmI like Back to the Roots on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
Amber says
08/13 at 5:45 pmI love putting fresh mushrooms on a flatbread with arugula, olive oil and pine nuts!
Jasanna says
08/04 at 2:15 pmI LOVE to use mushrooms in my philly cheese steak sandwiches that I cook in Marsala wine. Yuuum delicious!
Jasanna says
08/04 at 2:13 pmThis is a fantastic and fun idea. I love trying new things. 🙂 I liked them on facebook and commented.
Cheryl W. says
07/24 at 12:24 amI like Back to roots on Facebook. (Cheryl HeartnSoulmom)
Cheryl W. says
07/24 at 12:23 amI love using fresh mushroom in a homemade mushroom soup. There just is nothing better! I have always used cremini (cause that is all that is available here, but I would love to try these. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter.
Andrea says
07/23 at 10:11 pmI really love mushroom risotto. It really captures the flavor, especially when including white wine.
Cindy B. says
07/22 at 5:45 pmI like Back to the Roots on Facebook.
Cindy B. says
07/22 at 5:44 pmI would use my fresh mushrooms on pizzas!
Monique says
07/22 at 4:37 pmI like sliced shroomies on my pizzas with olives and peppers.
YUM
Kadee says
07/22 at 4:00 pmThis is so intriguing! I like mushrooms on pizza and in numerous pasta dishes. 🙂
Lynn @ Sit. Stay. Cook. says
07/22 at 2:18 pmI love sauteing mushrooms in a little butter and white wine, adding some thyme, and serving the mixture over polenta.
natalie (the sweets life) says
07/22 at 12:00 pmaw fun! i feature a mushroom recipe on my blog today 🙂 i love mushrooms in ANYTHING…stuffed, on top of pizza, in a sandwich…can’t go wrong!
Roseann Pummill says
07/22 at 11:45 amWhat a great idea, and since I have a vegetable garden, I was excited about the idea of growing my own mushrooms since I love, love mushrooms of any variety. I love putting them in a simple marinara sauce over pasta in place of meat. The texture of a mushroom cancels out the need for any meat in this dish. There are hundreds more recipes I could add, but this is the simpliest and a favorite. You can saute` your mushrooms in a little extra Virgin Olive oil than add to your marinara sauce with some fresh basil and other herbs if you like. To serve cube some mozzerella and while dressing the pasta add the mozzerella. It will melt with the heat of the sauce over the pasta. Delish.
Jamie (Mama.Mommy.Mom) says
07/22 at 11:10 amI also liked their page on FB!
Jamie (Mama.Mommy.Mom) says
07/22 at 11:10 amI love mushrooms! I’ve been wanting to try one of these. My favorite way to use mushrooms is in sauce. Any kind of sauce really, but Marsala is my favorite!
Tammy says
07/22 at 8:04 amI love to roll out crescent roll dough and then toss mushrooms with melted butter….spread that on the dough and then sprinkle with paremsan, salt, pepper and a little Italian seasoning…..bake and eat….YUM!
Sara P. says
07/22 at 1:55 amI like to make mushroom soft tacos. Yum!
Kristen says
07/22 at 1:03 amI love mushrooms in beef stroganoff and curries! I’d love to try to grow my own!
sophia says
07/21 at 10:36 pm“Liked” on FB! 🙂
sophia says
07/21 at 10:35 pmOkay, I LOVE mushrooms. Absolutely love, love love. I am so excited for this. I really hope I win!
KK @ Preppy Pink Crocodile says
07/21 at 10:05 pmOh how fun! I’ve always wanted to try one of those kits actually. Count me in!
jacquie says
07/21 at 9:48 pmhow cool. i have been intrigued by the idea of growing my own mushrooms for a while but have never gotten up the nerve to actually do it. kuddos to you for giving it a try.
mushroom – just love them – whether plain or sauteed w/ other veggies or mixed in w/ beans or grains.
Karen says
07/21 at 8:45 pmI love them lots of ways, but I like to sautee them with olive oil and garlic and pour a mixture of balsamic vinegar and brown sugar.
Penny says
07/21 at 7:43 pmMushroom pizza. My favorite toppings are sausage and mushrooms paired together.
Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest says
07/21 at 7:38 pmI like them on Facebook.
Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest says
07/21 at 7:37 pmLove mushrooms and these kits look cool! I like to cook mushrooms on the stove and then add them to a spinach, feta, and tomato salad.
Julie says
07/21 at 7:12 pmI like backup the roots on Facebook!
Julie says
07/21 at 7:10 pmHow fun! I looooove mushrooms! I usually stir fry them, but they’re si wonderful raw in salads or in soups or chicken marsala! Yum!
Melanie says
07/21 at 6:38 pmI would love my own mushrooms. I love them in omelets and just by themselves!
Adrienne says
07/21 at 6:21 pmThis is such a great idea! I would love to try it.