Mushrooms - suggestions for bloke.

HappyIdiotTalk

mrbadexample wrote:

Agreed...which is why I left anything I couldn't identify. Incidentally, when cleaning them all up (and double checking!), I found that one of them was a baby giant puffball. This went in too, as they're quite nice. They're also easy to identify.

Well you sound like you know what your doing so thats good, I was just worried about anyone not in the know having a bash at it.

I bought myself the Antonio Carluccio mushroom book 'The Quiet Hunt' with this idea in mind, but after reading his warnings and deciding that I couldn't tell the difference between some of the good and the bad, I've never dared pick any. Shame as I bloody love mushrooms!

Do you know what yours are? If so I'll have a look in his book and suggest a recipe!

mrbadexample

In the small print in the opening post I suggested agaricus campestris, but having looked into it further this evening, I think they may be agaricus bisporus. Both are common and tasty.

mrbadexample

And here's my soup:



It's great! This is also the most OS meal I've ever cooked, as it probably cost me less than a quid. :money: And I've got loads left for later! :j

CarolnMalky

Mr bad example...you are one fungi!!! :rotfl:

Sorry I had to post that!!!!

mrbadexample

CarolnMalky wrote:

Mr bad example...you are one fungi!!! :rotfl:

Sorry I had to post that!!!!

About time too! I have been waiting! :rotfl:

HappyIdiotTalk

That does look very good, miles better than the canned stuff!

How did you acquire your mushroom picking knowledge? I'm intrigued!

CarolnMalky

The soup looks FAB...well done you :T

mrbadexample

HappyIdiotTalk wrote:

That does look very good, miles better than the canned stuff!

How did you acquire your mushroom picking knowledge? I'm intrigued!

Hmmm...not too sure really! I haven't been mushroom picking for more than 25 years - not since I was a kid, and I only went once then! My mum did the cooking then.....:rotfl:

My knowledge is actually quite limited. I know one or two mushrooms that are definitely ok. I've done a bit of biology, so am comfortable with the identification. There were some more this morning of a different sort, which I am sure would have been ok. As I couldn't identify them, they got left. I only knew the baby puffball was ok because someone (Father Jack?) posted on here a short while ago that they were good eating and it was the right time of year for them. They are easy to identify. I wouldn't dare go out into the woods trying to look for other edible fungi. :eek:

dannahaz

mrbadexample wrote:

And I've got loads left for later! :j

Well done!

It freezes well too.

mrbadexample

Ok, this is what I did:

Cleaned up the mushrooms, and checked them over. One of them had small holes burrowed into it, which was discarded. That actually took quite a long time. I double checked each one to make sure I was happy that it was edible.

Broke up the bigger ones, put the lot into about 3/4 pint vegetable stock, with a chopped onion and a teaspoonful of dill. Left to simmer gently for about 30 mins.

Meanwhile I boiled a couple of small potatoes, and one medium carrot, both cut into a large dice.

Once the potato and carrot were cooked, I added them to the stock. I used my stick blender (for the second ever time!) and blitzed it until fairly smooth.

I melted the ounce of butter, and added the three tablespoonfuls of plain flour, stirring frantically. Removed from heat and added ½ - ¾ pint milk (I guessed :rolleyes:) bit by bit. Realised I had forgotten to add any pepper, so chucked a good teaspoonful into the milk. Returned to heat and slowly brought to the boil, stirring all the time. Once it started to get thicker, I added the mushroom puree.

I would thoroughly recommend this, even if you buy the mushrooms - it was lovely.