Mushroom foraging

Carluccio did a delightful programme on foraging in Italy the other day.
Probably on iplayer or something modern like that

The wood decomposers are not too hard to grow at home - There are many different methods, usually using a sterilised substrate of sawdust, straw, grain supplemented with additional ingredients like flour or coffee grounds.

For this one though, I will probably see if I can do it the brutes way, without the sterilisation and sanitisation and just blend a large chunk of the mushroom with water and mix it with damp sawdust. as the mushroom is so large the mycelium will have a good chance of taking over the sawdust before an contaminants get in.

It will be a bit of an experiment, as I have only ever done it with oyster mushrooms before, so if it works out I will be quite happy.

I'm waiting for some innoculated logs to fruit sometime this season - namekos, lions mane, shitaake, enoki, maitake. I also prepared a morel bed, but it won't produce til next spring if it works, or maybe even the following spring. We will have to wait and see.

If you have some capital, it is easier to grow in your house with the sterilisation method - Try Paul Stamets books - 'growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms' or 'the mushroom cultivator' for an idea of how to get started.

Does anyone have any experience of chicken of the woods? Just spotted a very new one near mine (not on a yew) and was wondering if anyone had any tips on the best way to cook them?

Nicky re the allotment - how are things coming on? I've recently been given one and I'm interested in growing mushrooms - partly because they area ace but mainly because the plot is a bit crap i.e. very shady with very large trees on the boundary.

You recommend Pauls' books (which aren't cheap on Amazon) but are the techniques applicable in the UK?

Tell us more aboutthe morel bed - I'd love to grow them.

Does anyone have any experience of chicken of the woods? Just spotted a very new one near mine (not on a yew) and was wondering if anyone had any tips on the best way to cook them?

Cut a little section off (about 1/10th) which was almost more than I coudl eat. Did it in the frying pan with a little garlic and butter.

The taste was a little bit bland to be honest but the texture was amazing. I now realise why they call it chicken of the woods. Will think of a better recipie and get a bit more at the weekend. If you ever see any I'd recommmend havign a taste.

Can't find anything in books r.e chicken of woods...sorry.
Loads online -looks like a good eater.
Just froze second batch of black mulberrys for jam today, can't wait to get on the shroom mission again soon.

I've foraged fuck all this year.

I'm quite embarrassed by it.

A pal offered me a cabbage he'd grown, bigger than a chair it was, but I refused because of my shame.

I'm hoping to snaffle some wild seafood in Norfolk this week. If I do, I will be redeemed.

I might even visit my friend and take that cabbage.

Does anyone have any experience of chicken of the woods? Just spotted a very new one near mine (not on a yew) and was wondering if anyone had any tips on the best way to cook them?

This sounds nommer nommer nom nom.

http://eatlikeagirl.com/2008/05/28/chicken-of-the-woods-fritters-with-wild-garlic-and-walnut-mayo/

^^^ Olaf, I've done Chicken of the Wood with pasta (fried in oilve and garlic) and it came out pretty good.

Did some Chicken of the Woods in a red wine 'stew'. Was really nice. I think for a veggie like me the texture was the most exciting part as the flavour wasn't anything to write home about. I'll keep an eye on that tree and see if it manages more later on.

Has anyone struck a good find yet? Shocking lack of usual easy finds in my area.
Forest bound this weekend.

Found some brilliant canterall patches a some weeks back. Ended up with half a carrier bag full.

I'm probably showing lack of taste and culture. But I love them simply lightly fried in butter, on a bed of wholemeal toast.

Hopefully the same places will be as full next year.

Loads of chestnuts nearby at the moment, I must have picked 2 kg yesterday with my gran. Interesting thread, I'll look out for mushrooms next time I'm out lone sscx'ing in the woods.

ahh wanstead flats have quite a few chestnut trees
might head out tomorrow myself

anyone know anywhere around London you can find mushrooms of the more exciting variety?

ahh wanstead flats have quite a few chestnut trees
might head out tomorrow myself

I live right next to them there flats.
Worth a look, have found in the past nice ones.

will this wet spell bring on the mushrooms ? or does it need a spell of sunshine after the heavy rain to get things going ?

epping forest i would say has mushrooms
oak and beech woodland
should be perfect

Ive been finding chicken of the woods daily along with the odd cep. not seen any oyster of trompet de mort yet

vegetable bean stew with chick on the woods last night was delicious

Supper.

These are the first I've had this year, and I'll be heading out at the weekend to check the patches.

Anyone else having any luck? This week end might be a good one.

epping forest barren currently
went out a few days ago for sweet chestnuts conkers and mushrooms
the former have had a very bad year and not even a hint of the later

I went out on Saturday, and there was nothing in my Hampshire/Surrey round, but today I was leaving stuff that had got too big or too eaten by slugs.

did see one very large mushroom come to think of it, intact and about the span of a hand maybe bigger in your traditional mushroom shape about 8 inches tall
didn't touch it as i didn't know what it was, one on the grass opposite had been kicked and trampled, wasn't sure if it was kids or foragers getting rid of a bad one

^those ceps look amazing. V jealous.

Not seen a thign this year. Did well last year with amazign chicken of the woods but no sign this year yet.

Did see some very small (just out) purple mushrooms under my courgette plants but I'm yet to identify them (prob not edible but v pretty).