Mushrooms

09/01/2007, tags: about food, mushrooms

The past few days the weather has been rather wet, and after a big storm the other day we could almost smell the mushrooms sprouting everywhere in the forest. So yesterday afternoon, we went mushrooms-hunting, hiked up in the forest and stared hard at the ground as we walked, making sure we weren't stepping on some precious mushrooms. It takes a while for your eyes to adjust to the light in the woods and differentiate the moss, dead leaves, good and bad mushrooms. Mushrooms were everywhere - well lots of bad mushroom anyway. My heart beats with excitement like a little kid on her first treasure hunt... suddenly I spot my first edible mushrooms. Once you find them, you will most likely find the whole bunch sprouting near each other. I enjoyed myself thoroughly... it's like treasure hunting... you never know what you will find next:-) - big treasure or small treasure. Well I can't say the same for little ninja who missed her afternoon siesta and was whining throughout the whole trip.

Look at my lovely treasure !

Can you tell what type of mushrooms I have in the basket?

Hmm...what kind of dish do you think will I be cooking these lovely mushrooms?
Psss: we have another bucket full of wild mushrooms

29 comments.
#1, par Lydia (09/01/2007)

What a lovely haul of mushrooms! I don't know what you'll make, but I would do a wild mushroom ragout over polenta, or a risotto. Yum.

#2, par eastmeetswestkitchen (09/01/2007)

What a lovely basket of assorted wild mushrooms! I love the colors! Mushroom soup, mushroom stir-fry, mushroom spring roll, mushroom sambal...think I'm having mushroom fever now!

#3, par Cynthia (09/01/2007)

You are so fortunate to have such lovely mushrooms. You are such a talented cook, I can't begin to guess your creations

#4, par Fénix (09/01/2007)

OMG, Pamela! That, indeed, is a real treasure. Looks like you really know your mushrooms! I would love to go mushroom-hunting. I think there's an association or club somewhere around here that one can join. Your beautiful treasure makes me think I should!

Cheers!

#5, par Bon Vivant (09/01/2007)

I've been so busy lately that this is the first day that I've had to catch up with my fellow bloggers. I so enjoy reading about your recipes and seeing the fabulous photos.

Question about the rengdang: the beef looks fairly lean - is shin a very tender cut of beef? I am not familiar with shin but it might be worth searching for. I would like to make this recipe but I might use chuck meat since it's well marbled.

#6, par Amy (09/01/2007)

Wow! I've always wanted to go mushroom hunting but I don't know the first thing about identifying mushrooms. I loooove mushrooms, mushroom soup, mushroom risotto, sauteed in butter yum!

#7, par Katie (09/01/2007)

Mushroom omelet would be the first thing for me, then the risotto...
I don't trust myself enough with identifying the edible ones...I'd take the whole lot to the Parmacist! LOL
Lucky you, great haul!

#8, par teckiee (09/02/2007)

WAHHHHH! Purple ones? We don't really get much mushrooms here in Malaysia. Got to buy them from the supermarket.

#9, par IronEaters (09/02/2007)

wow..so exciting!I never done this b4 n it sounds so fun! btw, how do u know which ones are edible? *the small purple-ish mushrooms are pretty, they r ok to eat? coz i dun hav much knowledge about wild mushrooms =P *

#10, par miche (09/02/2007)

wow! so colourful. never seen purple before too. all this while i thought they come in black or white (michael jackson) haha.

btw, which country are you residing now?

#11, par The Cooking Ninja (09/02/2007)

Think I'll keep everyone guessing what I'm going to make;-) - will be a delicious surprise.:-D

@Fénix: I'm no expert in mushrooms - I have the guidance of Irène, Michèle & Patrick.:-) Oh yes...do join a mushroom association or club and go mushroom hunting with them. It's really fun.:-)

@Bon Vivant: From what I understand the shin part is tough with lots of ligaments and takes a long time to cook them (they are mostly used for stew that requires long cooking). Michèle suggested that I take the normal meat part of beef to cook them next time. I haven't tried it yet but I will definitely try it out next time.

@teckiee: The purple ones are edible.:-) They are very beautiful aren't they.

@IronEaters: It's very fun to go mushrooms hunting and find those edible ones. I'm no expert...it's my sis in law and parents in law who show me which ones are edible and to find. If I find any that I don't know, I will call them to check it out.

The purple ones are edible.:-)

@miche: Still in France:-)

#12, par Judy (09/02/2007)

Mushrooms fettucini? Mushroom pie?

#13, par Little Corner of Mine (09/03/2007)

Definitely seem like a lot of fun. I would guess mushroom quiche?

#14, par Sara (09/03/2007)

The colors are so amazing! I can't wait to see what you make from your harvest.

#15, par catherine (09/03/2007)

Woo the mushroom color was so beautiful and cant even got chance to see in Singapore. You are so luckly.

#16, par Truffle (09/03/2007)

Treasure indeed! You are so very lucky. That photo is simply breathtaking and I can't wait to see what you have in store for your beautiful bounty.

#17, par Orchidea (09/03/2007)

Oh my God! I love mushroom... that basket looks great!
Ciao.

#18, par Barbara (09/03/2007)

Wow what a great haul of mushrooms. Lucky you.

#19, par Gourmet Traveller (09/03/2007)

Looks like you have some lovely pleurotte and something that resembles cepes. Have you done anything with them yet? What about some sauteed mushrooms in shallots and butter over a toasted slice of brioche for a snack?

#20, par Ashley (09/03/2007)

What a beautiful basket full of even more beautiful mushrooms! I look forward to seeing what you make with them.

#21, par silvana Franco (09/04/2007)

how fantastic! I would love to go mushroom gathering

#22, par Orchidea (09/04/2007)

well... you have some Porcini and yellow Chanterelles. Which sort is the other one, the purple one?
Ciao.

#23, par tigerfish (09/04/2007)

Wooo..I love mushrooms. Did I see purple mushrooms in the basket?
They all look so pretty....the simplest way to enjoy is to saute with butter and onions, herbs.

#24, par Nora (09/04/2007)

Such a bountiful find! I'm not knowledgeable enough to pick my own. But I wouldn't mind some truffles...

#25, par aria (09/05/2007)

that is the most beautiful basket of wild mushrooms i've ever seen, what colorful abundance! i cqn only imageine them sauteed up with butter and wine, oh my with pasta maybe.

i'm so impressed, i'd probably poison myself almost immediately;-)

#26, par Susan (09/06/2007)

Gorgeous. I am impressed by your haul and how astute you are to go out and identify them without worries. They would be perfect for duxelles.

#27, par lynn (09/06/2007)

Wow! How wonderful to go collect your own wild mushrooms. How did you learn to tell edible from poisonous?

#28, par keropokman (09/06/2007)

oh man....

mushrooms! how did u learn to tell the diff between the mushrooms? when it rains a few days, mushrooms sprout in singapore too in the fields, but no one dares to touch them! haha..

You are making either:
- mushroom soup
- mushroom stirfry
- mushroom shhhh

haha...

#29, par Karin (09/07/2007)

Tomorrow I had planned to go to the forest together with a friend of mine and pick mushrooms. The weather forecast says rain. I have to cancel. Perhaps Sunday will be better, we´ll wait and see.

My guess: There are "Cantharellus lutescens" or "Cantharellus tubaeformis" in your basket. "Boletales" too? Sorry, I don´t know the English names.

A mushroom stew is always a delicious thing to cook.

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