Marinated Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are tangy, salty, meaty morsels that are fabulous additions to charcuterie platters, salads, and simple turkey and cheese sandwiches. Our family loves them. When we are out foraging for fall mushrooms, this is the food I'm craving the most. Chicken of the Woods, Laetiporus S. is a mildly flavored fungus that... Continue Reading →
Fall mushroom hunting is not walking through the woods carefully scanning the forest floor in search of small mushrooms. It is a search for big wood-eating fungus: Chickens, Hens, and Cauliflowers. The most beautiful of these fall delicacies is probably the Chicken of the Woods, Laetiporus s. (also referred to as Sulphur Shelf). They are usually... Continue Reading →
This hearty meatball soup was made with ground venison, home-made venison stock, and freshly foraged Cauliflower Mushrooms (Sparassis). If you aren't fortunate enough to have all of these ingredients on hand, you can make this soup using the substitutions listed in the directions. Even with a few alternative ingredients, this will still be a great... Continue Reading →
Cauliflower Mushrooms, Sparassis, are beautiful, unique and easily identified wild mushrooms. From a distance they look a bit like cauliflower, hence the name. But, they could also be likened to brains, coral or clumps of ruffled egg noodles . The later of which is by far the more delicious sounding comparison. So, let's choose to think of... Continue Reading →
Year's ago, I was discussing jelly making and canning with an elderly woman in Northwest Alabama. When I told her that blackberry jelly was my absolute favorite, she informed me that it was only my favorite because I had never had Elderberry Jelly. I didn't know it until years later, but that woman was right.... Continue Reading →
Wild Black Elderberries and freshly picked green pears were combined to make this lovely jam. It is a beautiful ruby color and quite possibly the prettiest thing I've ever canned. In addition to being pretty and tasty, this jam has the immunity boosting, anti-viral power of Elderberries! Last year during flu season, like many Moms,... Continue Reading →
Beautiful chanterelles are one of the most plentiful and delicious wild foods in our area. When they are in season, we add these delicious mushrooms to just about every dish possible: quiche, omelets, baked chicken, pasta, pizza, soup, risotto, roast, stuffing, and charcuterie platters. We eat a ton of these every Summer, but sometimes we can't... Continue Reading →
Chanterelle season in Alabama is hot, sticky and full of deadly creatures. How do you know when to search for chanterelles in the South? When the daytime temperatures are in the 90s, it storms almost every day, and the humidity is so high you feel like you are in a steam room when you walk... Continue Reading →
My sister's first patty pan squash and our first chanterelle mushrooms of the year, both made their way into my kitchen this weekend. I was thrilled to create a dish using these together because they are two of my favorite Summer ingredients. I loved the flavor of the sweet patty pan squash combined with the salty prosciutto and... Continue Reading →
Pasta made from poke sallet is one of the most beautiful foods I have ever created. The flavor of the poke was present but mild, unique, and lovely. I had the idea for making this pasta while processing the first mess of poke that I had picked this year. I was admiring it's bright green color when I decided to put... Continue Reading →
Digging Food 