Fungi Forays

Fungi forays displays the edible fungi and plants that surround us plus the seasonal wildlife on view for free.


Pesto Gymraig (Welsh pesto)

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The first ramsoms shoots (wild garlic) are starting to appear. It is at its best for the next couple of months, but by late May it will be losing some of the subtle delicacy that make it closer in flavour to chives than its bulb namesake. This recipe harnesses its fresh spring hints with hazelnuts […]

Wild Mushroom Pierogi

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Wales may boast one of the greatest mushroom climates in Europe, but when it comes to edible fungi there is nothing we can teach the Poles and these delicious little pasta parcels are a wonderful way of warming up in mid-winter. Dough 1kg Plain flour 125g Butter (softened) 500ml Warm water Filling 50g Dried porcini […]

Jew’s Ear on Pasta

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This mushroom is both unappealing in looks and name . . . and its texture doesn’t help either. As a result it is often dismissed by guide books, but with a little imagination it can make a great dish – better still it is available in mid-winter

Trumpet Chanterelle

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Although most people associate mushrooms with autumn, in fact there are plenty to be found if you look in the right places. The trumpet chanterelle (Cantherellus tubaeformis / infundibuliformis) is a case in point. This is a spectacularly well-camouflaged mushroom which means that although it is fairly abundant – if patchily distributed – it is […]

Hen of the Woods

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This bracket fungus grows at the base of deciduous trees (usually oak). It looks very unprepossessing and is well camouflaged, but appearances are deceptive . . . Its relative, chicken of the woods is better known and more visible, but as its name suggests it has a milder taste than the hen. Just as mutton […]

It Begins!

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Things are starting to kick off! . . . Newsletter21August

Smoked Mackerel Pate

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Again, this isn’t fungal, but it is very seasonal – nothing beats a really fresh mackerel, straight from the sea . . . well except, perhaps a really fresh smoked mackerel. 6 Smoked mackerel fillets 1 tbspn Horseradish 1 Small tub soured cream 1 Lemon Black pepper Oak sawdust First catch your mackerel (see Tim […]