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<\/a><\/p>\nWe headed deeper and deeper into the private pine forest on the Delheim Estate in search of turkey tails and shiitake. The first edible \u2018shrooms we found were pine rings. \u00a0The top of the cap of this mushroom has concentric orange rings that replicate the rings of a tree trunk. You can squeeze out orange-red milk if you cut this mushroom when it\u2019s fresh. You will also notice that it has a hollow stem. At this stage, if that Bear Grylls feeling of lone survivor foraging for rations fills your being, that\u2019s perfectly acceptable!<\/p>\n
We cooked our collection of pine rings that evening in the comfort of our own kitchen and not out in the mountains, having been advised by the chef at Delheim to eat them by themselves or on toast, simply fried in some butter or olive oil. The flavour was delicate but delicious. Their delicate flavour would be overwhelmed by adding them in to another dish such as risotto. Mushrooms are best eaten fresh \u00ad\u2013 preferably on the day you picked them.<\/p>\n A mushroom hunter must be well equipped to survive the hunt. A folding knife is apparently indispensible, along with a well-ventilated basket and a good pair of shoes strong enough to take on the mountains. Mushrooms are found off the beaten track and several days after a good rain, you will find them buried amongst the pine needles or stuck on the side of an old tree trunk. The magic of a mushroom hunt is the journey and the exploration of the hidden world of the fungi. Any mushroom hunter worth his (or her) weight in porcini, has their own secret spot where they hunts repeatedly, alone and never revealing its location to anyone else.<\/p>\n Once you have spotted a mushroom, the best way to pick it is by giving it a gentle twist. Be sure to cover the spot with soil once you have very gently placed your prize in your basket.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be tempted as you excitedly find the red and white spotted mushrooms that look like the comfy stools of the common garden gnome. Amanita Muscaria is not lethal, but will cause severe discomfort to adults along with nausea, confusion and delirium, if eaten.<\/p>\n After our forage, we were treated to a number of delicious mushroom dishes \u2013 sublime mushroom soup, mushroom pat\u00e9, risotto and mushroom salad at the restaurant at Delheim. The hunt may be you against the mushrooms, but once back at the table, the experience must be shared over a good glass of wine with fellow foragers.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n