We found a lot of young Reishi Mushroom in a nearby park today. I picked one and put it in my pack and brought it home. I tried making a few things out of it.
With the more tender tips, I made long, tall slices and slowly sautéed them in butter until they were dark and crispy. I didn't have anything fancy in the fridge, so I spread some yogurt on toast, added the sautéed mushrooms, and added a bit of salt and pepper. "It's delicious!" said M, and I agree!
I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but afterwards I might say that my stomach was politely asking me, "did you eat wood?". Which might be why tea is usually how this mushroom is prepared.
I also made tea. One I made from the tougher center and boiled it for thirty minutes then strained the darker liquid. The flavor is quite mushroomy and earthy. I think it would make a good substitute for vegetable or beef broth. I could see preparing the mushrooms before making the tea, either by sautéing, grilling, or roasting them before making the tea. Also these were very young mushrooms, I think if this were an older, woodier mushroom, it would have made a darker tea. Later that evening M asked me, "did you eat something? You smell funny." I told her all I could think of was that I drank the mushroom tea which I think answered her question.
