It's What's for Dinner!

As you, my readers know, I have been on a mushroom quest lately! I decided it was time to bite the bullet and get in the kitchen. I have positively identified the Sulfur Shelf. I found this bunch on a tree out in the woods this afternoon. I talked it over with my husband, and he agreed to try some. I went out and gathered about a third of what is on that tree. I had done a lot of research and found that the new growth, about the outer most inch, was supposed to be the best eating. I cut most of one whole 'clump' and brought it inside. My husband's only comment was that he hoped it tasted better than it smelled, although, I didn't think it was so bad!

I cut the mushroom into slices. I kept about the outermost inch for cooking with and chopped the rest and put it in a dye pot. I had read that it was best to soak the mushroom pieces in vinegar and water (equal parts) before cooking to remove any dirt or bugs. I didn't find either, but I soaked the parts I was using for supper anyway just to be sure.

The chunks for the dye pot went directly onto the stove, covered with water. I simmered these for about an hour and then took them off the heat and left them in the liquid to steep overnight.

After I got done slicing and dicing the mushroom, I cut up some carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. I sauteed the vegetables in butter and olive oil until they started to soften and get tender. I took them out of the skillet and placed them in the stock pot with some chicken stock. Then, I added the mushrooms to the skillet and sauteed them for about 15 minutes. I added some sage, parsley, salt and pepper to the mushrooms.

I then added the mushrooms to the stock pot and simmered the soup for about 45 minutes, until all the vegetables were tender. I checked the seasoning and declared it done!

I called my husband to supper. I let him taste it first, (just in case). He thought it was very good, so I tried it. It really did taste like chicken soup! I think that I would not be so greedy next time and use more of the mushroom. The parts further in really had a texture like chicken. When I make it again, I plan to add some white beans-navy, great northern or cannelli beans for a bit of protein. I can see using this with a white sauce or Alfredo. I am going to harvest more for as long as the weather holds and the mushrooms are producing. Hopefully, I will be able to dehydrate a lot to use over the winter. Meanwhile...Soup's on!

Hunting for Wild Mushrooms

(First, before I start this post, I want to say that I am not an expert on mushrooms by any stretch of the imagination. Make sure if you hunt your own that you have very good guides (use several) or an expert to assist you. Remember...Mushrooms may be deadly poisonous if you get the wrong one by mistake.)

Taken this morning

We had a bit of rain early in the morning today. I thought it would be interesting to compare the Chicken of the Woods I found two days ago with how it looks today. I took my camera and headed outside. The mushroom had gotten much bigger. It is still very bright yellow and salmon colored.

Taken two days ago

I have never really looked for mushrooms. The only wild one I have ever eaten was a Morel. It was sauteed in butter and tasted delicious. I don't really care for the mushrooms I have bought at the store. My husband is a fan for sure. I have become interested because of the dyeing qualities of mushrooms. So, I headed into the woods this morning and began my hunt. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. 

I found several more flushes of Sulfur Shelf, (Chicken of the woods, or Laetiporus sulphureus) in several places throughout the woods. I found it growing on other trees and in several different areas. Some of the new finds were much bigger than the one I found first. These are some of the new finds!

I also found some Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus). This is supposedly a delicious mushroom as well. When new and conical, makes a good substitute for asparagus. I am hoping that with the rains we are having this afternoon and evening I will be able to find some nice ones, enough to harvest. It is never good to take all of anything whether it is a flower or a mushroom, or anything else in nature. Leaving some will ensure that more will grow. Shaggy manes are often said to grow in clumps.

I found several other mushrooms today that I have not yet identified. I don't pick anything that I am not sure of. Mushrooms can be extremely poisonous. the best rule of thumb is, "when in doubt, throw it out". I would amend that to say, "when in doubt, don't touch it"! (If anyone has information on what some of these are, please let me know!)

Once I can identify a mushroom, I want to determine if it is edible. Even if they aren't my favorite, my husband loves them! Many mushrooms that are edible can still cause gastric upset in some people. Even if you determine that a mushroom is edible, for certain, eat a small amount at first to test for a reaction.

There is quite a variety! I plan to try to identify as many as I can and what I can't eat, I may be able to use for dyeing. I have seen some beautiful colors that have come from mushrooms! I hope to figure out how to do it myself.

 Could be Turkey tails?

I have a lot more research to do! I also plan to do a lot more hunting. Time is running out this year in this part of the country, but, there is no frost forecast this week!

Tomorrow, I am off to a Fiber Day at Northcroft Farm near Pelican Rapids, MN. Joan Jarvis Ellison and her husband, Dave, host two Fiber Days each year. Joan is a shepherdess. She raises, processes, and sells wool. She has sheep, alpaca, angora goats, and maybe something new! She is a knitter, spinner, weaver, and also a writer. She has a blog called Sheep Notes. She also has several books published. I am not sure how long she has hosted the Fiber Days, but they are well attended. Fiber artists, fiber newbies, and everything in between attend! People come from miles a way. There are always dye pots going and usually someone is demonstrating something. It is inspiring, educational, fun, and always a good time. I am planning to buy some roving. I have used up most of my white from this spring trying out plant dyes! I will let you know what I find!

Chicken of the Woods

These are photographs I took last summer in my yard. I didn't know at the time what I was looking at. I looked at several mushroom sites, but for some reason I didn't think this was the same as anything I found. This was growing out of an old Elm tree stump (on the West side). We cut the tree down years ago and carved a stool into the stump and the stump has been there ever since. Last summer is the first time anything like this developed. Recently, I discovered through a blog I follow,  , that what I had was a 'Sulfur Shelf' mushroom, also known as 'Chicken of the Woods' (Laetiporus sulphureus). Fellow blogger, Lisa Jordan (lil fish studios) is a seasoned mushroom hunter. She has several posts on eating, dyeing with and hunting mushrooms. Not only does this make a lovely dye bath, it also is edible and supposedly, tastes like...you got it, chicken!

Since I finally found out what I had, and more importantly, that it is useful for dyeing, I started looking for it again this summer. I have been disappointed in that there is no sign of it in the place it grew last year. I hadn't harvested any of it last year, not knowing what it was, so I hoped it would come back.

This morning when I walked out to the mailbox I passed the stump, as I do everyday. To my surprise, I found this on the 'seat' of the stump, (the East side). I am so happy to see this beautiful mushroom growing here again. I plan to watch it to see how much bigger it gets. I am going to harvest some of it this year, when it gets bigger, to dye with. I may even cook a little up for my husband (he is a much braver soul than me...).

I will report soon on the growth and dyeing of this gem. I can't wait to see if it grows as big as last year! Meanwhile, I am going to do a little more hunting to see if there is anything else wonderful in my woods.

North Country Fiber Fair

I have been hearing about the North Country Fiber Fair for several years. It is held each September in Watertown, South Dakota. I have thought about going many times, but it seemed that something always got in the way. This year, I finally made it. I had a wonderful time. There were many venders there from all over with items for sale and lots of new and interesting ideas. I met a lot of friendly people from a lot of different places. It is so inspiring to be surrounded by people who are as passionate about fiber as I am!

The fair lasts for three days. There is no admission fee. Countless demonstrations are taking place all three days. In the barn and area a there are sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, even a Bactrin camel! There are animal judging contests, sheering demonstrations, dog obedience and sheep dog demonstrations.

Tracy Miller from Billabong Border Collies gave several demonstrations of border collies working stock. It was very entertaining and informative. Tracy explained that so much of what the dogs do is instinct, and the trainers' job is to work with the dog, teaching the dogs commands for what they are already doing.The dogs are definitely enjoying themselves, as is Tracy.

There are spinning wheels everywhere you look. Many venders selling spinning tools, yarn, looms, even baskets from Giana.

 

 I tried to stop myself, but I did buy some really wonderful roving, a large bag of beautifully hand dyed mohair locks, some yarns that were hand dyed, and almost another wheel...







Classes are offered on spinning, knitting, basket weaving, dying, color theory, crochet, photography, Kumihimo,braiding, felting, wool combing, tatting, nalbinding, rug hooking, and even building and using a triangle loom.

I didn't sign up for any classes this year, but will next year. It was really a lot of fun. Well worth the drive. Good people, interesting demonstrations, lovely things to touch and buy... and a lot of inspiration. I have all sorts of new things I want to try! Next year. I am already looking forward to it!

North Country Fiber Fair

It's a Matter of Madder

I am back at the dye pot again today. I have been experimenting with Madder. Madder is a plant root that has been used for dying for centuries. It produces many different shades, from pinks, reds, oranges, rusts and purples. I dyed some wool with madder several weeks ago using an alum mordant. The result was a beautiful orange, almost cinnabar.


Today, I used that same dye bath that I had saved from the first run. This time, it came out a deep, variegated rose color. This was very different than the original color. I was amazed at the difference between the first and second run.

I had mordanted some wool with copper. I decided to see what would happen if I used copper for a mordant instead of alum. I put some of the wool in the same pot as before. This time it turned a beautiful plum. I ran one more batch of wool through the pot that also had copper mordant. This time, I got a lilac color!

Below is a photo of all four batches of wool. Left to right: first run, alum mordant; second run alum mordant; third run copper; fourth run copper. Amazing. I am really pleased with all four results!

I thought that I would post a picture of my finished mordants. I started these back on July 23, 2013 (see that post for the instructions on making both mordants). The jars have been sitting out on the deck since then. Iron is on the right, copper on the left.