I share this story as a late comer to the Mushroom Appreciation
Club. As a kid I used to pick them off pizzas and turn my nose up
when I saw my family eating them on toast. But since trying a
vegetarian diet for the first 6 months of this year I found that
they became my meat substitute in a meal. Soaking up and basking in
the flavours around them, floating in whatever deliciously juicy
concoction I cooked up.
So you can imagine my delight when I found out Saumur has a
museum dedicated to my fungal friend and a whole month of
Champignon festivities in October. On Friday evening I went to a
restaurant just because I spotted 'champignon' so many times on the
menu. I ordered the special and when the waitress arrived with my
dish she gave a detailed explaination of the meal in front of me -
in French of course. Seeing my blank look, she counted 'un deux trois',
pointing to the three giant stuffed mushrooms on my plate,
indicating the order I was to eat them in. She then said, 'bon
appétit' and left me to it.
Mushroom 1: The crème de la crème Champignon, a
rich cheese that has been grilled on top to create a crunchy lid on
a sea of creamy cheese beneath. The sliced baguette, served on the
side slops up any fromage that escapes your fork.
Mushroom 2: This is the one I was most nervous
about. It was meat of some kind but after my Chinon (bird gizzard)
experience two days earlier I tentatively sliced into the flesh
sitting on the mushroom. I needn't have worried because I my tongue
instantly recognised the flavour and texture of roast pork and
crackling, resting on a kingsize mushroom bed.
Mushroom 3: The last mushroom was simple but
the most balanced of the three flavours. Another Portobello
mushroom topped with a basil and parmesan pesto, all three flavours
equally complemented each another, leaving my palate settled and
satisfied.
All of this was washed down with a Saumur Rose and once the
excitement and mushrooms settled in my stomach, a small shot of
espresso. I took a riverside walk back to the campsite where I
dreamed of frolicking in a field of mushrooms. (Ok, not quite, but
I definitely went to sleep with a very happy belly.)
Are you a mushroom lover? What's your favourite way to eat them?
I think my fave is still the pesto but I'm always open to new
suggestions.