Oyster mushroom

Pleurote

What it is

It is carnivorous — the mycelium hunts and digests nematode worms in the wood, which is how it gets nitrogen from a diet of pure cellulose. It also grows readily on coffee grounds and straw, which is why it is the easiest mushroom to farm.

In the kitchen

Tear it rather than cutting it, and sear it hard. Cooked gently in its own moisture it turns slimy.

Goes with

Garlic Parsley Soy sauce Butter Thyme Spring onion Toasted sesame oil Cream

Same species

Golden oyster King oyster Pink oyster

In season alongside

Tiger pufferfish (torafugu) Albacore Japanese abalone Cod Gagome kombu Glass eel

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