I found a bag of dried porcini in the cupboard - they are at least 15 years old...

[SardineQueen]

I have put some into soak and they smell lush. I have never had dried mushrooms before though so don't know what they are supposed to taste like...

Is there any reason not to eat them? Like porcini have a special mould on which grows after 10 years and kills you? Cos I really want to eat them...

I meant I don't know what they are supposed to smell like. They smell salty and yummy...

I had a nasty allergic reaction to some dried mushrooms once. I wouldn't risk it, personally, but i do have odd "mould" allergies.

Oh no! I just found some risotto rice at the back of the cupboard as well...

I don't have any allergies...

This is going to be like one of those AIBU where everyone says "Don't be silly" and the OP ignores them totally...

Hmm I just googled "how long do dried mushrooms keep" and it's all about magic mushrooms

Chinese mushrooms are dried. To cook them you need to soak them. I think as long as there's nothing floating out in the water and if you rinse them they don't feel flaky, powdery and don't smell rank should be ok!!

I'm going to go for it. I have found parmesan in the fridge. DH back at 9 so will surprise him with risotto. He won't have the mushrooms in his, he doesn't like them and will be utterly repulsed by the whole thing. On upside he will be here to tend to me / call ambulance should it all go tits up...

Very excited - have never cooked risotto before (unbelievably!).

Thanks for responses...

Best mushroom risotto involves the liquid that you've soaked your dried porcini in. Don't waste that.

Well I did it. I split it when it was nearly cooked and DH got parmesan, I cooked in some of the mushroom juice and had the mushrooms.

His was yum
Mine was a bit grim

So that's what you get when you eat 15yo mushrooms! Hopefully I won't be ill I might buy some new ones and see if they taste any different!

Thanks all for the advice