Wild Edible Recipe: Sauteed Puffball Mushrooms

Yes! I did it! I love the confident feeling of learning something new.

Until yesterday I was sure of two edible mushrooms. Today I am sure of four. My two new delicacies are the Gem-studded puffball and the Pear-shaped puffball. I have a fifth under study.

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Before I share this recipe, it's time for my disclaimer: ALWAYS test for edibility.

Wild Edible Recipe: Sauteed Puffball Mushrooms

When I gather mushrooms, I put each species in a separate paper bag. When I get home, I take them out of the paper bag and begin my visual study.

The mushroom under study right now is the fawn mushroom. I found one on a hike with "Wildman" Steve Brill last month. I have found it twice since, but did not eat it. I just studied the shape, how the gills were attached and the stem. "Wildman" has made replicas out of Sculpey - which is an excellent way to improve observation skills. It's also fun.

I am cautious enough to consult other mushroom identification guides, but "Wildman" has the best photos and his sculptures are accurate. I am now making a spore print and when I do sample this mushroom, it will be a piece the size of a green pea.

THE RECIPE:

Sautéed Gem-studded (Lycoperdon perlatum) or Pear-shaped (Lycoperdon pyriforme) mushrooms:

1. Remove mushrooms from paper bag, trim dirt and wipe with a cloth or paper towel

2. Do not wash or immerse in water. Do not salt. That makes the mushrooms tough

3. Cut the larger mushrooms into bite-size pieces

4. Coat with olive oil and one-half teaspoon of lemon or lime juice

5. Set pan over low heat, then add coated puffball mushrooms

6. Cook until tender

Puffballs are fragrant when picked and they do have a distinct flavor, but it is delicate. I enjoyed it as a simple side dish.

Wild Edible Recipe: Sauteed Puffball Mushrooms

Holiday Recipes You Can Make in Your Crockpot or Slow Cooker

Are you always short oven space when preparing holiday meals? Let your crockpot or slow cooker help you out. This article has recipes for Diabetic Sweet Potato Casserole and for Bread Dressing. Now how about that for convenience? And aren't we all looking for convenient ways to help us with those large meals!

BREAD DRESSING

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1 cup butter
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped celery
1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
2 cans (8-oz) mushrooms, drained
12 to 13 cups dry bread cubes
1 tsp poultry seasoning*
2 well-beaten eggs
1 1/2 tsp salt*
1 1/2 tsp sage*
1 tsp dried thyme*
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp marjoram, optional*
3 to 5 cups chicken or turkey broth

Holiday Recipes You Can Make in Your Crockpot or Slow Cooker

Melt the butter in a skillet; saute the onion, celery, parsley, and mushrooms.

Place the bread cubes in a very large heat-proof bowl. Pour the butter/vegetable mixture over the bread crumbs. Add the poultry seasoning, salt, sage, thyme, pepper, and marjoram, if using; toss together well to blend in the seasonings. Pour in enough broth to moisten to your desired amount of moisture. Add the well-beaten eggs and mix very well.

Lightly spray the crockpot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Pack the dressing into the cooker. Place lid on cooker and cook on high for approximately 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to low setting and cook for 4 to 8 hours.

*Omit if using packaged stuffing mix.
Because you are dealing with raw eggs, be sure to follow the instructions and heat on high first!

DIABETIC SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

This casserole uses Splenda for those who avoid sugar. The other recipe (below this one) uses actual sugar and brown sugar. This recipe is for diabetics or anyone who avoids sugar.

2 cans (18-oz each) sweet potatoes, drained & mashed
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp Splenda Granulated
1 tbsp Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1 tbsp orange juice
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk

In a large bowl, mix the sweet potatoes, butter, Splenda granulated, Splenda Brown Sugar Blend together. Beat in the orange juice, eggs, and milk.

Lightly spray the crock of the slow cooker or crockpot and transfer mixture to the cooker.

Topping:
2 tbsp + 2 tsp Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1/3 cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp butter, melted

Combine the Splenda, pecans, and flour. Add the melted butter stirring until combined. Spread topping over the sweet potato mixture.

Place lid on cooker and cook on high setting for 3 to 4 hours.

Serves 6

Enjoy!

Holiday Recipes You Can Make in Your Crockpot or Slow Cooker

Candied Yams - The Reigning King of Soul Food Recipes Side Dishes

Candied yams has come full circle, especially when it comes to popular soul food recipe side dishes. An always popular side dish for the holidays, it now has expanded in popularity year around. Many have gave this dish various names. For example, candy yams, candied yam, candied sweet potato recipe, yams candied or soul food candied yams to name a few.

Most people enjoy the festive atmosphere candied yam recipes bring to a meal. So, as a result more people are enjoying this tasty side dish during non-holiday months. But still the holidays is when this dish really shines and brings a festive atmosphere to any table. Because of the availability of yams year around now, the popularity continues to grow at a steady pace. In addition, because of this vegetables health benefits, more health conscious consumers are discovering it.

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Yams are rich in dietary fiber, beta carotene, vitamin A B and C as well as complex carbohydrates to name a few. In addition, with the increase in diabetes cases, yam recipes provide an excellent alternative. Preliminary studies reveal it helps lower insulin resistance and stabilize sugar levels.

Candied Yams - The Reigning King of Soul Food Recipes Side Dishes

Other added benefits of yams is their high potassium and low sodium levels. As a result they produce what nutritionist call a good potassium-sodium balance in the body. This condition helps to fight osteoporosis and heart disease. Yam recipes generally produce a lower glycemic index that other potato products. This means they will help provide a longer lasting form of energy, and help fight obesity and diabetes.

Yam have also been know to replenish fast twitch fibers, runners use them as a way of recovering after running. It's no coincidence that some of the best long distance runners on earth come from countries that produce high amounts of yams.

Yam recipes continue to be one of the top 5 comfort foods, particularly during the holidays. Along with turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes and gravy, it is tops when it comes to side dishes, according to a recent University of California poll.

In fact, this southern dish has slowly past mash potatoes and gravy as a favorite soul food side dish. The buttery flavors, cinnamon back taste, brown sugar foundation and nutmeg makes for a traditional holiday taste few side dishes can match. In addition the orange color serves to add color, interest and eye appeal to any plate.

After finishing a meal that includes southern style yams, people are always rewarded with that satisfying feeling of comfort and satisfaction. Candied yams stay with you longer than most side dishes. Many call this a stick to your ribs benefit. These are a few of the many top advantages of eating candied yams or candied sweet potatoes. But there's more for you to enjoy.

Candied Yams - The Reigning King of Soul Food Recipes Side Dishes

Simple Banana Cake Recipe

Here is a simple banana cake recipe using a cake mix that is easy and delicious. It can be baked either in a 9×13-inch pan or in a bundt pan (my preference).

My husband is having a slice with ice cream and just declared it "one of the best" banana cakes ever; hearty praise from a true cake lover!

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The purist in me wishes cakes made from scratch with whole wheat flour and other more wholesome ingredients were met with such excitement, but sadly they're not. The savvy realist within me admits that cake mix recipes often turn out better than from scratch cakes. They are more consistent, with better texture, especially when you know how to "doctor them up." And in the final analysis, life is too short to eat anything less than delicious cake.

Simple Banana Cake Recipe

Have I mentioned that I am a huge fan of Anne Byrn, The Cake Mix Doctor? Everything I've ever made from her cookbooks has turned out great, but I've been reluctant to admit it, until I learned that Jamie Lee Curtis recently declared The Cake Mix Doctor her favorite cookbook on the Rachel Ray Show!

This recipe is from The Cake Mix Doctor Returns. I made a few changes to the original recipe. I omitted the additional 1/4 cup of sugar, replaced the 1/2 cup sour cream with plain yogurt, and skipped the 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans to keep it friendly for those who have nut allergies. I also added 2 tablespoons of flour which is a trick my mother learned from her Home Ec teacher decades ago to help cake mix cakes be less crumbly.

Simple Banana Cake Recipe

Serves 16 to 20 or 12 to 16 as a bundt cake

Vegetable oil spray for coating the pan

Flour for dusting the pan

1 cup mashed bananas (from 2 or 3 very ripe bananas)

1 package (18.25 ounces) plain yellow cake mix

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup sugar (optional)

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

4 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla

1 cup (6 ounces) miniature chocolate chips

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

2 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, for dusting on top

Position an a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly mist a 13×9 inch metal cake pan (or bunt pan) with vegetable oil spray. Dust with flour, shake out the excess flour and set the pan aside.

In a large mixing bowl, place the mashed bananas, cake mix,flour, sugar (if using), oil, sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, about 30 seconds. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat on medium speed until the mixture lightens and is smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes longer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again, if necessary. Stir in the chocolate chips.( If you are intending to bake the cake in a bundt pan, stir in the pecans too, if you are using them.)

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Smooth out the top with a rubber spatula. If you are baking the cake in a 9×13-inch pan, scatter the pecans (if using) evenly over the top and place the pan in the oven.

Bake the cake until is deeply golden brown on top and the top springs back when lightly pressed with your finger, 43 to 48 minutes (50 to 55 minutes for a bundt cake). Remove the cake from the oven and immediately sift the confectioners sugar over the top so that it melts to form a glaze. Let the cake cook for 20 minutes, then slice and serve while still a little warm. (If you are using a bundt pan, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes, then turn it out of the pan and sprinkle with the sugar.)

Storage: Store this cake, covered, at room temperature for up to three days or for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Simple Banana Cake Recipe