Decent wild mushrooms have been in short supply this year, especially our Cèpes which simply refused to grow (in this area). Omelets such as the above will NOT be appearing on our lunchtime tables this Autumn; unless there's a miracle.
I've recently found quite a few young Parasol Mushrooms (below), and have seen a handful of ordinary Field Mushrooms, but the more gourmet specimens have remained elusive.
If anyone tells you that Parasols can be confused with other mushrooms, this one is a classic example. There is no other wild mushroom that grows to this size, this one was 40 cms tall, and the cap 25 cms wide. A really delicious mushroom. Don't bother eating the stem.
Our area is best known for the Périgord Truffle, but it's the Cèpe that has the most influence on our local gastronomy, and a whole year of forced abstinence is akin to torture.
Of course, wise gourmets (such as ourselves) will have bottled plenty last year just in case of such a shortage, but nothing can replace that early morning trip to the woods with the anticipation of finding a good haul of fresh young Cèpes.
A few other favourites have recently popped up. Lady Magnon is our resident 'Oronge' finder, and yesterday she returned with just this one, above; we had it for our lunch. Amanita Caesarea was Caesar's favourite mushroom (as its name suggests) He was right, it is probably the finest of all. Sadly not too common.
As far as the Cèpes go, there's always next year!
14 comments:
When my sister and I were kids, our Dad took us on early morning trips to his favourite spots in the woods, where we nearly always found enough mushrooms to enrich our Sunday dinner. He had of course his special mushroom knife with a wooden handle, and we all carried baskets. I loved those trips and was convinced my Dad knew everything. He taught us about the various species of mushrooms, but I can not remember or identify more than a handful nowadays.
I think your attitude is absolutely right. Be happy that you are able to recognise just the few varieties that you know are good, and leave all the others well alone. I have about 6 favourite varieties; the rest I leave for others.
Still 30 degrees here all week, for some reason, it should have been colder, no mushrooms here.
I want that omelette in the photo - now!
Someone has just told me that we MIGHT have some this weekend.
A Cepe omelet is a wonderful thing. Two eggs and a fresh Cepe.... cost 5p.
You will never find a Caesar's mushroom in this country.
They're pretty rare here too; we find one or two every few years.
Your omelet look wonderful.
I enjoy making omelets; a pukka chef would no doubt say I do it all wrong, but they taste OK.
I presume mushrooms can be found here but I can't ever recall seeing one.
You need well established woodland (not Forestry Commission plantings), and you should find some. Although how the Mycelium would find its way to an island; I'm not sure.
I bought chestnut mushrooms from the supermarket the other day and made myself an omelette - they had absolutely no taste at all.
I've never tasted them. I thought they were supposed to be very good!
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