Its Porcini mushroom season again! ~ Mariella

It’s that time of year again, Autumn brings mushrooms! We waited for just the right sequence of events, knowing that there’s always a chance of coming home empty handed. It rained, we had a few hot days, full moon was a few days away; everything said, ‘Head for the forest armed with knives and baskets’. We did and we were in luck.

We found enough to cook, fry, bake, give to everyone in the family! What we couldn't eat in time, we sliced and strung up to dry in a space in the house with good ventilation.  

I think this is the prettiest Porcini I've ever found!

After baking, drying and giving away, we still had some left over so i made mushroom pate. 

-I peeled any sponge off which had already opened and turn from a fresh cream colour to a dull mustard yellow colour and cut the Porcini into slices.

-Fried in olive oil with garlic and added a little water and salt to taste.

-Blended with a hand held blender until smooth and voila, something new and delicious on Rice cakes (I know its a travesty but we don't eat bread!)

I then added the Pate to an Aubergine and tomato sauce. It was sumptuous and no body could guess what the secret ingredient was!

So there you have it. If you find these decedent and delicious mushrooms at your local deli, do not be afraid! They are as easy to prepare as Denny mushrooms and if all else fails, let them eat Pate!