u/geneticswag

This was simple, sophisticated high summer cooking. High heat grilled COTW, onion, and sweet Italian pork sausage for about five mins. Put two pounds of garden tomatoes in a sheet pan to cook down for about five mins, then added torn COTW, sliced sausage coins, chopped onion, oregano, and black pepper. Cooked all down together in its liquids for about another 25 minutes. Served over barley. COTW came out tasting like smoky tomato buttered parmesan - really incredible chemistry.

Sautéed chanterelles for 3 mins dry then 2 with butter, pulled unseasoned. Hand blended 1oz w/ 1oz ground beef for 30 seconds, then gently integrated that with another 2oz of beef for 10 seconds to integrate. Cooked each to medium rare and served as a double. The umami was WILD, and so was the moisture retention.

Found August 6 in southern Connecticut, USA, in hardwood forest.

Single mushroom growing terrestrially through leaf litter/soil; I couldn’t see any direct attachment to wood. The surrounding substrate was mostly decomposing leaves, small twigs/woody debris, and low green understory.
Cap was pale blue to blue-gray with darker blue mottling/markings. The stem was thick, pale blue-gray, and distinctly spotted/mottled with darker blue-gray. Gills were very densely packed and appeared extremely dark, nearly black in the photos.

Photos show the mushroom in situ, including the cap, stem, and underside.

Interested in any thoughts on genus/species, and particularly whether the blue coloration and very dark gills are useful diagnostic features.

This is my second pie shell. The first fell to pieces in my August kitchen, so I’m thrilled this one came out brilliantly. Crust was 1 1/4cup King Arthur AP flour with 1 stick butter cubed then chopped into pea sized bits. Was brought together with about a quarter cup of ice water. Pie crust refrigerated for a few hours then rolled out on frozen cookie sheet. Blind baked crust for 23 mins at 375 weighted, another 8 without, then 2 egg washed. 20 oz sungolds oven roasted, charred at 425 for 24 mins. Filling is 3 eggs with 3/4cup half and half, 3 oz mozzarella pearls, and roasted tomatoes. Baked for 25 mins at 350.

Feeling A+ & just waiting to break out the cleaver!!!

Found three distinct spots in old growth beech and oak: 24 hours after 2” of rain. I’ve been at it for almost ten years, so it feels good to finally have some places, just in time for thunderstorm season at that. Any tricks and tips for final ID, cleaning, and storage are most appreciated. I’ve been on a pol

Eggs and basil scrambled into mozzarella balls and fresh diced sungold & cherry tomatoes, topped with shaved parmesan.

I'm very sad it doesn't get to see the garden all the way through!

Photo from spring 2022.

I’m not usually one for macro insect shots, but this one hit hard as it’s sipping from my first zinnia blossom ever!

Seeds only went in evening of July 1 (CT, USA)- surprised to have liftoff!!! Excited to watch it uncontrollably sprawl.

Two 7lb shoulders sitting pretty since 3:00am EST at 275’F with applewood.