[Bonjoy]

 I never do get too pissed off about heavy rain in late summer/early autumn as it always signals the start of the mushroom season. The combination of hot dry summer and wet autumn is ideal to produce a bumper season. So far it's looking good.
 Got a e-mail from Andy Harris a couple of days back showing a fine collection of Chanterelles he'd picked up in Ireland, the best single crop i've ever seen. Then last night I went out and collected this lot, the best collection of Ceps/Porcini i've ever found I think, plus a few Hedghog fungi and a handfull of small Chanterelles (got the Giant Puffball at the weekend, on the way back from Malham).
 Anyone else had any joy? Are they out in Italy Nibile?

[Bubba]

Are the magics out yet?

[r-man]

Those look very tasty. Are they all edible?

You've inspired me. Got any tips for a novice mushroom collector? Where are the best places to look? How easy is it to make sure you don't pick anything poisonous?

[Johnny Brown]

Is that really the limit of your fungi interests bubba? 

I always enjoying showing people a stinkhorn at this time of year. Quite what evolutionary pressures resulted in that I cannot fathom.

[Monolith]

They sure look like posh mushrooms! Yeah how does one go about picking some tasty (non-hallucinogenic) mushrooms? I have a field-guide to them here that's been in our house for time. Maybe I'll just go experiment. Any tasty mushroom based recipes Bonjoy!?

[Houdini]

Bonjoy making mushroom surprise:

[SA Chris]

Quite a haul bonjoy. Not sure if we will have anythnig decent up here this year; blackberries are only just getting ripe now!

[Duma]

Bonjoy, I'm inspired (and salivating). Hedgehog fungi are deee-fuckin-licious!

[Sloper]

Fantastic haul that, the ceps look superb.

Bubba the best mushroom for a punter is the bay boletus, looks like a cep but has a yellow spongey underside which turns blue within seconds of being pressed.  Look out for large ones that are often infested with maggots.  The plantation woods is generally a good source of these (and very poisonous mushrooms too).

My foraging has so far been limited to some boletus, but in the non fungi mould, I've also got some fresh walnuts, miribelle plums greengages and mulberrys.

[Bonjoy]

Bubba - Haven't seen any, but I imagine they will be.

r-man - They are all edible, with the possible exception of the purple one Cortinarius purpuraceous, which I brought back for id purposes. Strangley one book says Suspect:Avoid, the other says Edible, both by the same author.
 Tips: Get the new Roger Phillips guide, it is THE book to have, available in good bookshops or here http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ . Ideally go on an organized foray or out with someone who knows what's what. If you are self identifying start with easy to find edible fungi that are easy to id and have no easily confused dangerous species, such as Shaggy Ink Cap, Puffballs, Ceps, Field Mushrooms, Horse Mushrooms, Blewits (later in the season), Chicken of the Woods, Beefsteak Fungi, Oyster Mushrooms.
 If you want to practice your id skills somewhere where there is a wide variety of species, try Longshaw estate. It's a good spot with lots of interesting stuff across various habitat types, including some very rare waxcaps.
 As a general rule don't pick what you aren't going to eat. However you may need to pick one of a kind for id purposes.
 All the commonly eaten fungi can be identified in the field without recourse to stain testing,  taking spore prints, microscopy or other involved techniques.
 Take time to learn what all the poisonous fungi look like. Most of these are fairly uncommon, but you will frequently come across a few types like Brown Roll Rims, Fly Agarics and Earthballs.
 Keep your eye out if you are in the passenger seat when out in the peak. I often end up collecting stuff on the way back from the crag spotted this way.
 If all else fails post up a picture and I may be able to identify for you.

 Monolith - I have favoured recipes for all different types of fungi. But usually when I find one for the first time I will have some simple fried in butter on toast with salt and pepper. This is a really nice way to have them and you get a good idea of the flavour/texture for use in other stuff. Adding garlic, parsley and maybe a splash of white wine is a good addition to the above.
 Carluccio has a good mushroom recipe book and Roger Phillips Wild Food is good too.
 A few pointers. Ceps are great in rissoto. Chanterelles go well with egg. Chicken of the Woods is great in stir-fry and Chinese soups. Parasols make great mushroom pate or fritters. Shaggy Inkcaps make the best mushroom soup. Blewits are great with pork or chicken caserolle. Saffron Milkcaps are lush fried and served on crostini.

[Fiend]

Which of these fungi go best with crayfish, out of interest??

[andy_e]

Wooo, puffballs. Best served fried with butter. Yummy!

[Bonjoy]

Which of these fungi go best with crayfish, out of interest??

Morels (only available in spring) or Cauliflower Fungi would be my first choice.

[Pantontino]

I might have to give this a go. I've been getting into this foraging lark of late. Been collecting a panful of blackberries every few days for the last 3 weeks. Made an amazing pie the other day. A load of thinly sliced cooking apples (over 1kg), 200gs of Blackberries, a bit of sugar, some lemon juice and pastry made from wholemeal flower. My word, what a flavour explosion that was.

The rest of the blackers have just been stewed with a bit of sugar and lemon juice. I keep it in the fridge and pour it on some natural yoghurt with a banana chopped in. Sprinkle on some seeds and almond flakes (toasted if you can be bothered). The breakfast of champions.

Anyway, back to the shrooms man...

[Bonjoy]

I bet the woodlands around Llanberis are ideal mushroom foraging grounds

[andy_e]

My uncle's farm near Stratford upon Avon has a few "run-down" fields- perfect for fungal growth. We regularly get 10-12 puffballs a year.

[Goose]

 

This is what makes me so glad to read here and the odd occasion post, I'm so made up, I thought the cray fish link was the pinacle but you've all raised the bar this is wicked. I'm abandoning my lunch and going out on the hunt right now!

for a guide book on mushrooms but the weekend's gonna be mint!

Cheers!

Goose

[andy_e]

Bonjoy is our UKBaster chef... Nice work surfaces by the way 

Edit: Check out the smiley faces on the toaster too! Cute.

[Pantontino]

Yeah, what is that? A slab of polished micro granite, or just a plastic veneer?

[Bonjoy]

 Sadly the latter. It was there when we moved in.

[Pantontino]

At least you've got a decent looking gas cooker.

[Greg C]

Yeah, what is that? A slab of polished micro granite, or just a plastic veneer?

Crumbs! Fancy a man who makes his living drawing lumps of rock, not knowing his granite from his plaky veneer! 

[r-man]

Cheers Bonjoy, looking forward to tasty mushroom goodness...

Found a few guided walks. I'm assured there's one on 1st October, but I don't know the details. Here are some others for those in Sheffield:

Event   :   Fabulous Fungi
Venue   :   Longshaw Estate (in Derbyshire)
Date(s)   :   Wednesday 25 October 2006
Description   :   Talk by local expert followed by soup, using mushrooms freshly gathered from the estate.
Time(s)   :   7pm - 8.30pm
Price(s)   :   Adults: £5.00
Contact   :   01433 631708
longshaw@nationaltrust.org.uk
Notes   :   Booking essential
       
Event   :   Fungi for Families
Venue   :   Longshaw Estate (in Derbyshire)
Date(s)   :   Thursday 26 October 2006
Description   :   Short walk ending with some hands-on activities.
Time(s)   :   10am - 12.30pm
Price(s)   :   Children: £3.00
Contact   :   01433 631708
longshaw@nationaltrust.org.uk
Notes   :   Accompanying adults free. Booking essential
   
Event   :   Fungal Photography
Venue   :   Longshaw Estate (in Derbyshire)
Date(s)   :   Friday 27 October 2006
Description   :   A walk with photographer John Leach and mycologist Neil Barden to help you get the best from your camera
Time(s)   :   10am -12.30pm
Price(s)   :   Adults: £5.00
Contact   :   01433 631708
longshaw@nationaltrust.org.uk
Notes   :   Booking essential

Event   :   Fungal Delights of Longshaw
Venue   :   Longshaw Estate (in Derbyshire)
Date(s)   :   Saturday 28 October 2006
Description   :   Discover why Longshaw is famous for its mushrooms. Walk starting from the Visitor Centre.
Time(s)   :   10.30am - 12.30pm
Contact   :   01433 631708
longshaw@nationaltrust.org.uk
Notes   :   Home made soup, using mushrooms collected on the estate that morning, will be on sale in the tea room. Booking essential.

Seems the national trust does fungi walks all over the country...
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-events/w-events-find_event.htm

[webbo]

will you stop it for fuck sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i've just spent the last month doing kitchens and bathroom showrooms with the missus now you lot start.

[Nibile]

yes, theyre out also here in italy, but i seriously doubt you could gathe that much: its been a hot summer, but hasnt rained much so far. bad for mushrooms, good for sloperz.

besides, being a lazy mutherf***** i dont like to gather them, i just try to steal as many mushroom based dinners from my friends as i can.