Mad about Mushrooms . . .

Same old, same old ... perhaps not with Shiitake Snacks!

Sometimes the fungal world can be a little selfish with its sharing.  We can spend hours tromping through woodlands, meandering in meadows and yet nothing unexpected comes into view.  Same old, same old, as the saying goes.

Not so for us a couple of weeks ago when we quite unexpectedly encountered a new mushroom while maneuvering our way along the cafeteria counter at the Providence Hospital in Beaverton, Oregon.  The newly discovered mushroom came in a 4 oz. plastic tub marked "Shiitake Snack" with an ingredient list that included the following:  Shiitake Mushroom, Canola Oil, Maltose Dextrin, Sea Salt, Seasoning (Yeast Powder, Glucose, Sugar, Maltose, Dextrine, Soy Sauce Powder, L-Atlanine).

 

A slower time, a time of contemplation on the Joanne Ruoff Memorial Nature Trail

For us, it's a slower time of year.  The woodlands are clothed in a heavy cloak of warmth.  The forest floor is dry and crackly.  We're anxiously awaiting a summer rain to bring forth the fungi that we know are cocooned in the duff until moisture awakens the mycellium.  Sometimes the 4th of July startles the land with a heavy dousing of rain; sometimes the rains come on my birthday later in July.  But, not this year.  As always, the life-bestowing rains will come when it suits them.

In the meantime, the all-encompassing blanket of fog that has settled into Port Orford now and then over the past several weeks gave us hope that we'll soon find the first of the lobster mushrooms.  And, on the 4th of July we found our first lobster, nestled in amongst the invasive Scotch Broom on the edge of the newly dedicated Joanne Ruoff Memorial Nature Trail.  

July 2015's Recipe of the Month: Mushroom and Fresh Herb Lasagna

When Paula told us that she was leaving our coastal hamlet for the brighter lights and busier streets up north, we were delighted by her courage and her energy to pack her bags and go.  Yet, we worried that our friendship might be tested and negatively impacted by the miles between us.  No worry - the relationship is as true as it's always been, and, perhaps, even stronger because we're forced to work a little harder to keep up with this enthusiastic lady who has set up camp so many miles away.

Paula recently advised us that she was going thru her recipes, tossing out ones that she'd never prepared and probably never would.  Fortunately, the following recipe was not in that category - it had struck a delicious note with her and was quickly ensconced in her treasured recipes category.

Be  forewarned:  It's probably not like any lasagna that you've sampled before.  It's frightfully rich, therefore a little sinful, and packs a powerful mushroom taste ... a perfect finale for a day spent in the astonishingly beautiful Castle Crags area!  Thanks, Paula, for passing on this jewel of a recipe!

Castle Crags in the morning and mushroom lasagna
at night - a perfect pairing!