Hunting mushroom is fun and fascinating. Now that I've found a mycelium of chanterelles, I hike that area more often.
This last weekend we were lucky again. I found these mushrooms hiding to the left of my walking path. If you are accustomed to the plain button mushrooms found in grocery stores, you'll be amazed at the difference in mushroom found in the wild.
Over the years I've found Mushrooms called "Chicken in the Woods" that are named thusly because they actually DO taste like chicken. (Great in hotdish!). Puffball mushrooms take on the flavors in your dish or sauté. They are excellent in a dish with wild rice and cream sauce.
The chanterelles taste like butter. These aren't the type of mushroom I would put on a steak. They're great all by themselves or over vermicelli pasta with a little parmesan grated over the top.
If you are interested in learning more, the Minnesota Mycological Society (MMS) is an educational organization for the study of mushrooms and other fungi. They hold forays (hunts) and membership dues are relatively low considering the assistance they lend. Learn more at www.minnesotamushrooms.org/ Are you a mushroom hunter? Tell us what you've found!
