The post title refers of course to the famous Cyndi Lauper song “Girls Just Wanna Have Funghi,” but it later changed to “Fun,” which may be the version you are more familiar with.
And do you remember this one… It ne-e-ver rains in California/But girl, don’t they warn ya/It pours/Man, it pours…
It’s kind of an oldie. So am I. Totally beside the point, but here’s the tie-in: When it rains in California–as it did last week and thank goodness ’cause we really need it–it means mushrooms.
Santa Barbara County is located at the intersection of two bio-regions and that makes it a great place to learn about nature, so if you want to go mushroom hunting well by golly you can jolly well find someone to take you.
I didn’t, but I found them anyway.
I am fascinated by mushrooms. They’re like the seashells of the forest – so beautiful and so many shapes, colors and textures. And so delicious. Like meat, but not. A yummy recipe at the end, btw, if you’re hungry.
The other day after lunch at the terrific Bell Street Farm Eatery & Market not far from us in the cool little Western town of Los Alamos, California…
His Grace (my husband for new readers) and I strolled down the street and poked into the Bedford Winery tasting room. I’d caught a glimpse of a display of mushrooms in the window and was intrigued.
The study of mushrooms is called mycology. Not to be confused with yourcology.
And there was Stephen Bedford himself welcoming all and sundry. Tragically we had missed the Mushroom Festival (Jan 26), but we’ll mark it down for next year.
Aren’t they beautiful? Maybe I was married to a mushroom in a former life.
Now if you are all whipped up into a funghi frenzy, here’s a recipe. I tried a Potato and Mushroom Gratin from Epicurious which included dried porcini mushrooms, which to me are one of the most distinctive savory ingredients on the planet. I even managed to put it over on HG, who loved it, despite the fact that it is vegetarian, which I did not tell him. Sometimes a don’t ask-don’t tell policy is wise in these matters.
Frances!!! just wanted to alert you – Cindy Laper wrote Girl’s Just Want to have Fun!!!! not Miss Madonna…
Now that we got the songwriter cleared up… Love your “shroom” photos – had no idea there were so many different kinds! your right about them being like the seashells of the forest!
OMG am so mortified thank you Laurette!
Whoops – Cyndi Lauper…. spellcheck!
Now married to jalapeño.
Loooove mushrooms! They’re supposed to be very good for you too. Plus fairies live beneath mushrooms, it’s a well-known fact. Will try gratin recipe for sure next weekend (St. Paddy’s Day!), yummmm. Okay, can’t resist, gotta say it, Ms. Frances if you were married to a mushroom in a former life, I bet he was a fun guy! Possiby His Grace in another incarnation? Magnifico! I bid you good night and wish a lovely week to all.
Oh EB you said it I didn’t! LMAO! Thank you! xo
Love mushrooms,and all in all their are beneficial to as .Grate story.
Recipe,please ! Thanks !
Here you go Ruth, click on this link: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Potato-and-Portobello-Mushroom-Gratin-104503
“They’re like seashells of the forest”
That is a PERFECT example Frances!
Love mushrooms. Only black truffles can top porcini mushrooms on fresh pasta.
Happy hunting.
Love mushrooms too. They have and anti-cancer agent too when cooked. Great post, as usual.
xo, Lissy
Thank you Lissy and Theresa! And Theresa you are right about those truffles! Someone treated me to one recently – heavenly!
Love your mushroom humor!! Several years ago we ate at a restaurant in Blowing Rock – one of the appetizers was a plate of mushrooms it was called —- Funghi, three ways ……
Well of course we had to order it just so we could say it out loud!!