Wild Mushroom Medicine

Last year I discovered wild Golden Oyster Mushrooms that grow with reckless abandon in my favorite park - Pinicon Ridge Park. It’s the only wild mushroom I know and feel confident to include in my cooking, so in case you find them in the store or on the trail, here’s one of my favorite recipes I’d love to share:

Mushroom Tofu Scramble

Ingredients:

  • 1 - 12 to 14 oz. block of firm/extra firm tofu

  • 1 Poblano pepper, diced (you can sub bell peppers if you don’t like any heat)

  • 1 handful of julienned sundried tomatoes (I just eye-ball it)

  • 1/2 to 1 red onion, diced

  • 1 -2 cloves garlic

  • 1 cup Oyster Mushroom Bacon (recipe below) or 1 pint container of your choice of mushrooms, diced

  • 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast

  • 1 generous Tbsp of Dijon Mustard

  • Dried Oregano

  • Black Salt (Kala Namak - can buy online and this is the secret to giving the dish an eggy umami taste!)

  • Ground Turmeric

  • Chopped fresh basil

In a large pan, saute the garlic and red onion over medium heat in a little water or vegetable broth until red onion starts to become translucent or browning. Add diced Poblano pepper - remove seeds first and be careful to wash your hands thoroughly after touching. Sprinkle in a smattering of julienned sundried tomatoes and continue to saute until veggies are softened. Add mushroom bacon (below), saute for a few more minutes and then remove from heat. Crumble the extra firm tofu into the pan and add Dijon mustard, Nutritional Yeast, about a tsp or two of ground turmeric, oregano, and black salt (season to taste, this is where I tend to use my “chaos cooking” skills and I don’t measure my spices really, so start small and work your way up.) Stir to combine over low heat until all spices have been incorporated. Serve with roasted sweet potato fries and top with salsa verde and avocado (optional).

Oyster Mushroom “Bacon”

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp Real Maple Syrup

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1 tsp salt

  • ! Tbsp Tamari, Soy Sauce, or Coconut Aminos

  • Light cooking oil spray

In a large bowl, put the sliced mushrooms or whole Oyster Mushrooms and spray very lightly with oil - you do not want them overly coated otherwise they will end up soggy. Then sprinkle with all remaining ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until lightly coated. Heat your air fryer to 325 degrees. Add mushrooms and cook for about 10-15 minutes until browned and crispy. You can sprinkle this Oyster “Bacon” on salads and pasta dishes too. SO yummy!

Anji Antkowiak