9.9.11 Funky Chicken

Chicken mushrooms on toast 790 xxx
photos by gluttonforlife
Seek and ye shall find. Friends and fellow foragers, I am beside myself!! Driving to yoga, a flash of orange in the woods caught my eye and I mentally bookmarked it for the ride home. And there it was upon my return—yes, in all its flamboyant and fiery glory—an enormous wild chicken mushroom!! A large-and-in-charge specimen of Laetiporus sulphureus, also known as the Sulfur Shelf mushroom. It's considered a good entry-level wild edible, because it's quite distinctive and really can't be confused with anything remotely poisonous. There were a good 10 pounds of it growing atop a fallen tree trunk, and I took home about half of that, much of it fresh, pliant and begging to be eaten. After a good trimming, a soak in salty water (to clear out any bugs) and a thorough drying, I stashed my haul under a paper towel until dinner time. Sautéed in butter, with a little garlic, thyme, stock and a splash of cream, and served over toast, it was the supper of my dreams: wild, free and spectacularly seasonal.
Chicken mushroom 790 xxx
several enormous pieces stacked up to almost 6 pounds
Close up 790 xxx
the paler edges are the plumper, more delicate morsels
Trimmed 790 xxx
trimmed and ready to be sliced
The chicken mushroom gets its name from its firm, meaty consistency and its mild, slightly sweet flavor. I think it would be great in all manner of stir-fries, over polenta and in risotto. I recently discovered some good gluten-free bread and I was taken with the idea of serving sauteed mushrooms over toast. This turned out to be a good way to go. The toast soaks up the deliciously rich sauce and is an earthy complement and textural counterpoint to the mushrooms.
Sauteed 790 xxx
they retained their wonderful chewy consistency without falling apart or becoming slimy
Cream sauce 790 xxx
the splash of cream at the end is essential to elevate this dish
 

Wild Chicken Mushrooms on Toast

serves 2
  • — 4 pieces good quality toast
  • sea salt & fresh pepper, to taste
  • — 2/3 cup chicken stock
  • — 1/3 cup cream
  • — 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • — 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • — 1 small shallot, minced
  • — 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • — 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • — 1 pound wild chicken mushrooms, young tender parts only
  • minced parsley, for garnish

Make sure mushrooms are clean and dry. Ideally, soak them in salty water for 30 minutes, then rinse and dry, laying them out on paper towels. When ready, slice mushrooms into long slim pieces.

Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add butter and olive oil. When melted, add garlic and shallot, stirring until golden. Add thyme. Toss in mushrooms and stir to coat; sauté for several minutes and then add stock. Cook until stock reduces, then add cream. Raise heat and simmer vigorously, letting sauce thicken. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Place 2 pieces of toast on 2 plates, spoon mushrooms over and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately!

Download recipe  Download Recipe
BACK TO LIST

4 Comments

I've never seen this mushroom before!!! It's beautifull!
alwayshungry on September 9, 2011 at 3:30 am —
I was unbelievably excited to find it!
laura on September 9, 2011 at 4:13 am —
Laura, I am visiting your site for the first time in almost a year! I have some catching up to do. This recipe makes my mouth water. What a great find! I too have been foraging in the mushroom filled forests that are good and damp after the 10 inches of rain. Last night we had yellow footed chanterelles and my favorite are the black trumpets. Mushrooms beg for butter and cream. Happy foraging! Hannah
Hannah on September 11, 2011 at 4:13 pm —
Hi, Hannah! Great to hear from you. Nell said she loved visiting you on the farm. Stay tuned for more mushroom news--I found something really extraordinary yesterday!
laura on September 11, 2011 at 4:30 pm —