The hubby has recently started learning about/eating mushrooms. The best ones he has found so far are Hen of the Woods.

I let him try it first :p If he doesn't get sick I consider it. One tip he was given as a novice gatherer is never to eat all of the mushrooms. That way if you get sick you can bring a sample with you.

We typically don't do a lot with our mushrooms, other than put them in things/saute in butter so I don't have any good recipes to share. You might look at vegetarian sites, lots of things to do with them.

I agree with you. You can get very sick off of some wild mushrooms and it's always a good idea to positively identify what you are picking. We have all kinds of mushrooms that grow in our area and there are a couple around here that are downright deadly. I've tried some of the Boletes, which are safe, but other than that, I steer clear of anything that I don't know and stick with the Chanterelles. I don't eat anything with true gills.

That being said, Chanterelles are very easy to identify and there aren't any dangerous look-alikes to Chanterelles that grow in our area. Plus, I go to the same patches every year, so I feel pretty safe eating the ones that I find. I haven't gotten sick yet. Chanterelles are also very special because they can't be commercially grown...you can only find them in the wild.

Yesterday, I made "Chantie steaks," by seasoning them like you would beef steaks, pressing them between 2 cast iron pans and cooking them over a high heat. Soooooo good!

~ C

Oh my goodness, I'm drooling a little with this thread! Yum!! Would they lend themselves to a soup, you think? That way you could use some of the wine as well (many recipes calling for some wine). Enjoy!

Tropit- I need to stop reading your posts. I get too hungry:D

Hmmm, I wonder if any grow in Oregon. I have only bought from store.

Our son brought us some Morrells last year. Nasty looking little mushrooms....lol We didn't care for them.

Really? I think that those are my favorite mushrooms. The flavor is so intense.

~ C

Some wild mushrooms can cause liver or kidney failure.

My husband's family can spot mushrooms for eating a mile away. I think there is an "art" to it.

My grandpa used to pick mushrooms.
We were not allowed to eat them, my mom just didn;t trust them