Mad about Mushrooms . . .

March, 2010's Recipe of the Month: Mushroom Puffs

This mild winter is transforming itself into a mild spring with trees and flowers bursting into bloom.  How wonderful...and that's just how we'd described Sunset's Mushroom Puffs:  wonderful!  We made our version with the plentiful hedgehogs that even now are fruiting in the forestlands.  But we suspect that some dried mushrooms from this past fall would be equally tasty.

Verpa are a sure sign of spring!

February, 2010's Recipe of the Month: Creamy Truffle-Scented White Bean Soup

Let the winter winds blow and the rains beat against the window panes.  I'm curling up on the sofa with a new mystery, The Draining Lake, by the outstanding Icelandic author, Arnaldur Indridason.  When it's time for lunch, there'll be a flavorful bowl of truffle-scented soup from the pages of "Cooking Light" waiting to comfort me.

Winter in Port Orford was quite mild this year.

January 2010's Receipe of the Month: Pork Tenderloin with Exotic Mushrooms

It's the end of an indulgent holiday season, and the start of a new year.  We've been watching our calories and looking to Cooklight Light for inspiration when it comes to preparing delicious yet sensible weeknight dinners. 

This particular recipe caught our eye for a number of reasons.  It is quick and easy to prepare.  It specifies exotic mushrooms.  We are so fortunate to have hedgehogs growing right outside our door!  We're in the midst of a wonderful hedgehog season!

Hedgehogs are abundant this January!

December 2009's Recipe of the Month: Portobello Mushroom Torta

Whether you serve it as an accompaniment to grilled meats or as a brunch entree with sauteed bacon and warm crusty peasant bread or as an appetizer, we think that you'll find this warm mushroom pie created by Betty Rosbottom to be a delightful dish for family or friends!

Without a doubt, 2009 was the year of the shappy mane. They were everywhere!

November 2009's Recipe of the Month: The Ahwahnee's Breast of Pheasant with Wild Mushroom Ragout

What a treat to spend our Thanksgiving holiday in Yosemite National Park! 

Needless to say, we couldn't pass up a stop at the famous Ahwahnee Resort Hotel.  Unfortunately, we were too late to gain a Thanksgiving dinner reservation at the highly regarded Ahwahnee Dining Room which is known for its 34 foot high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows framed with stained glass.  However, we were still able to enjoy the building's granite facade, striking beamed ceilings, massive stone hearths, and richly colored Native American artwork when we toured the facility.  Like the royalty who have visited the Ahwahnee  since it opened in 1927, we found it to be a perfect balance of history, architecture, hospitality and elegance.

Even though we weren't able to bring home stories of a spectacular Thanksgiving dinner at the Ahwahnee, we were able to share in the culinary experience, thanks to a recipe from the cookbook, Pathways to Plate, published by the Delaware North Companies and featuring recipes from such fine establishments as Niagara Falls, Kennedy Space Center, Harrison Hot Springs, and the Ahwahnee.

We found this impressive cluster of Collybia at the Yosemite Park entrance.

October 2009's Recipe of the Month: Mushroom/Apricot Parfaits

Are you ready for a mushroom dessert?  Well, Jacqueline McComas is!  She created the following recipe for our annual contest.   

It's a perfect dish for guests:  quick to prepare, interesting to present and delicious!  We're going to use chanterelles in place of the regular white button mushrooms the next time that we prepare the recipe, thinking that the apricot-like color and aroma of the chanterelles will only enhance the preparation.

We challenge you to prepare this tasty dish - we think that you'll agree Mushroom/Apricot Parfaits are indeed a special treat!   

It's that time of year again: Port Orford fishmen light up
the dock and night sky.

September 2009's Recipe of the Month: Mushroom and Pesto Stuffed Brie

Who wouldn't be proud to serve Amanda Matthews' appetizer to friends and family?  It's a stunning presentation that's made even more special with the shitake mushroom filling.   Serve this Mushroom and Pesto Stuffed Brie appetizer, and your guests will never want to leave!

This year's fawns no longer wear
the spots and coloring of early summer.

August 2009's Recipe of the Month: Warm Steak and Mushroom Spinach Salad with Spicy Walnut Vinaigrette

What a great entry in our recipe contest!  It's a no-fuss recipe that produces a lovely and flavorful dish.

No matter what combination of mushrooms you choose, we think that Candy McMenamin's main dish salad makes a delightful summer dinner. 

Colorful thistles are bursting
into full bloom in July and brightening the landscape.

July 2009's Recipe of the Month: Herbed Mushroom Brunch

Company's coming for brunch!

We found TerryAnn Moore's entry in our recipe contest to be a perfect way to start off a Sunday with friends.   Prepare the brunch dish on Saturday, let it rest overnight in the frig and Sunday morning is a breeze.   Thanks, TerryAnn for your contribution!

We liked using a handful of chopped wild
spring onions in this dish.

June 2009's Recipe of the Month: Tangy Turkey Breast

Cheri Authement's submission to our recipe contest, Tangy Turkey Breast, has turned out to be a favorite entree for us.  It's a delightful presentation that can be enjoyed year round, not just at holiday time.  And, since we're living in the middle of cranberry country, we appreciate the fact that it highlights a local product. 

Try it - we know that you'll love the ease of preparation, the flavor combinations and the rich colors of this dish.

Trillium are just now
breaking thru the woodland duff.