King oyster

Pleurote du panicaut

What it is

It grows on the roots of eryngo, the sea holly — hence panicaut in French, after the plant it parasitises. Its stem is unusually thick and dense, and it is the mushroom most often used as a scallop substitute because of the texture.

In the kitchen

Slice the stem into thick discs, score them in a lattice and sear both sides. That is where the scallop illusion comes from.

Goes with

Butter Garlic Thyme Soy sauce Black pepper Parsley Toasted sesame oil Lemon

Same species

Golden oyster Pink oyster Oyster mushroom

In season alongside

Chicken of the woods Porcini Turkey Salt marsh lamb Japanese abalone Bay bolete

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