Bay bolete

Bolet bai

What it is

Press the pores and they turn blue-grey within seconds, a reaction that stops for good the moment the mushroom meets heat. Imleria badia is also the bolete that took up caesium from the Chernobyl fallout most readily, and central European authorities still monitor it for that reason.

In the kitchen

It holds far more water than a cep: dry-sear it in a hot dry pan until the liquid has gone and the edges catch, then add the butter. Butter first and you are making a stew.

Goes with

Butter Shallot Cream Parsley Thyme Garlic Chicken

In season alongside

Bleu de Termignon Cavolo nero Chinese truffle Honey fungus (chiodini) Maitake Snail eggs

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