MUSHROOMS!!
















Going to cook some up in olive oil and garlic and smother a T-bone steak with them tonight. Later this week I'll be making a nice venison stroganoff.

Magic!

It's like magic when they really start growing. They practically double in size every 24 hours.

P.S. They are just white button mushroom, not the true "magic" kind.

Of course. We're in the "Not very magical" section!

Haha! Good one.

I've always wanted to grow mushrooms, (even after reading Ray Bradbury's Raise Giant Mushrooms in Your Cellar!).
I was spoiled growing up because my Grandfather picked Mushrooms off his 25 acre ranch. In the fall he'd bring in 5 gallon buckets of them.
Store bought mushrooms are never quite as tasty. They never reach full maturity (but you don't have to peel store bought mushrooms so that's good).
When we'd cook up a pot they'd get as black as licorice. I think they were Portabellas. they got about a foot across in some cases. My Grandfather said they were an Italian Mushroom.

I live on the same land which is now a neighborhood. The same mushrooms now grow n my yard but my partner is afraid to let me pick them.
When I mow the lawn it is like mowing over shrimp.

I'm wondering if it was just a fun project or if you think you will save money.

-Mary Mowder

Just a fun project. The whole thing comes a s a kit and they always have them in the garden center this time of year. I had mentioned to my girlfriend once that I'd like to try one so she got me one for Christmas this year. I started the kit on Dec 26th and pulled the first mushrooms today. It was really fun to watch them grow and it takes no effort except misting them a couple of times a day.

They definitely taste better than any store bought ones I've ever had.

Yes...heh heh. I can't say anything. I'll get banned.

Doug

I think I saw the Alfred Hitchcock Presents version of that story with Bill Mumy as the "creepy kid" (again!)

Ain't it the truth? But I was thinking the same thing. Inspired by Carlos Castenda's Don Juan, I once had some memorable moments with shrooms, bit I'm not sure if they really happened or not.

My Dad did this quite a bit in the eighties in our backyard.

Not button mushrooms though but they were delicious.

One thing I should caution folks...don't go pickin' wild mushrooms! Lemme tell ya folks, some uncurable deadly ones lurk out there. They look innocent. But even the mild ones (like psilocybin) can make you so sick...ugh.

So unless you are an expert, or buy spores from a reputable source, stay away! The fresh buttons are good. As are the Puffball. Oyster and Straw 'shrooms are fantastic if you have the grow media. I particularly like Wood Ear and Tree Fungus varieties. Usually you only find them dried.

I'm told to be careful with Morels. I love the ones ya buy in the store. Don't know what the deal is. OK, that one, I'll steer clear from. Hey, what are these Chinese Mushrooms called:

http://eddyskitchen.files.wordpress.com/......ooms.jpg

I use these in EVERYTHING! They are EPIC in Stroganoff, as well as just adding to Ramen. Ya get 'em at your favorite Chinese/Thai/Southeast Asian Grocery. They're dried. Ya pour boiling water on them and let 'em sit half an hour. Good? You try 'em. You tell me!

Doug

Importation of garden plants has brought numerous spores from far-away lands into our soils. Even experts are taken by surprise.

We buy regular button mushrooms from Costco.

We put them in a paper bag with a paper towel in the bag in the refrigerator. Just shift the bag a bit to mix 'em up a bit every few days.

The mushrooms will dry out over time. The flavors really do concentrate.

At some point in the process it may smell a little strong, like a slightly fishy smell, don't worry. Mushrooms have an umami flavor and that is the smell of that flavor concentrating.

When fully dried these can be crumbled into all sorts of foods to good effect.

This might be helpful if you get a lot of mushrooms at once.

-Mary Mowder

Would you grow your own?

I'd like to try what Marlin did, just for fun. Nothing like growing your own stuff. I'm a mushroom fan. I love 'em all. Sauteed mostly, but also in other dishes. One of my favorites is the enoke. But like I said, I love 'em all.

I bought a kit and tried this once. All I got for my effort was a house full of little gnats...

I'd love to.

-Mary Mowder

The mushrooms are still growing like gangbusters. The second batch was almost three times as large as the first, and the third batch is almost ready to harvest. The first two batches amounted to just under three pounds of mushrooms after they were trimmed and cleaned.

Marlin, where are you cultivating these; garage, basement? Temperatures necessary? Do you have the gnat problem mentioned above? I'd really like to give this a try.