There once was a little mushroom called Hen-of-the-Woods. It lived on an old dead oak tree in the woods behind Rick and Lynne’s house. It went unnoticed for quite some time until one day last week.
Rick found it and showed Lynne. She could not believe her eyes. A highly prized edible mushroom growing in their woods? They decided to leave it alone having no plans in the near future for a mushroom meal.
So the Little Hen was safe and breathed a sigh of relief. Safe for now, anyway.
A couple of days ago Lynne went to check on the Little Hen, only to find that Little Hen had practically doubled in size. (And added on a few little admirers I might add that are not edible!) She had turned into Big Hen.
Lynne told Rick and yesterday he decided to harvest Big Hen. Here she is cut loose from her tree home.
Glorious, is she not?
Bella was not as sure as we were that it would be delicious!
Big Hen at rest in her new home.
Big Hen after a slimming makeover.
In the pan and smelling amazing!
And finally on the plate and into the mouth. Yum. Woody. Earthy. Absolutely delish! And very rich, like eating a beef steak!
Big Hen was joined by Chicken-in-a Pot, Mashed Potatoes (using our new antique potato ricer we found in an antique store yesterday), and glazed carrots. (If you want to see the Chicken-in-a-Pot recipe broken down follow this link to Rick’s blog. Totally worth checking it out if you enjoy cooking.)
And, yes, I lived to tell this tale today!
PLEASE NOTE:
(We do no eat any mushrooms that are difficult to identify or that we are unsure of. Hen-of-the-Woods have three different varieties that are all edible: there is no mistaking one for something else.)