I was browsing around the University District Farmer’s Market and stumbled across these giant, white mushrooms at the Sno-Valley Mushroom stand. When I saw these white, hairy things, I really didn’t know what to think of them - these are mushrooms? I had to try it.
The guy at the stand explained that the mushrooms are a great substitute for seafood because they have similar flavors and textures. He recommended the following simple preparation:
- Heat up pan with butter.
- Cut Lion’s Mane mushrooms into slices.
- Once pan is hot, gently cook the mushrooms until its moisture is evaporated.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve.
Mushrooms in general are pretty simple to prepare. Of course, you can dress the recipe up, but I wanted to taste the natural flavors of the mushroom since I was trying it for the first time.
Like the man said, it had a seafood flavor, and the texture tasted quite different from a typical button mushroom. Tasted kind of like crab. I did end up eating it with some stone ground mustard (which was a surprisingly delicious combination) because the mushroom had a slight bitterness to it.
If you ever shop at the University District Farmer’s Market, please check out these mushrooms. Sno-Valley Mushrooms even has a “Grow Your Own” mushroom kit that sits on your kitchen counter! Seems pretty fantastical to me!