Wishi

What the heck is Wishi you may ask... Hen of the Woods or Maitake are other names for this delicious wild mushroom. Wishi is the Cherokee name for it and I love it! To me this mushroom tastes like meat, no kidding. The old timers would cook their wishi in different types of grease and then the Wishi would taste like whatever grease they had used. Lard would give a pork taste, fat that fish was cooked in a fish taste, I think you know what I mean. We like ours cooked in a little canola oil with salt and lots of coarsely ground black pepper. Where do we get our Wishi?... Well if I told you that I would have to kill you. Around these parts you NEVER give the location of your mushroom patch. I did not take any pictures of the Wishi before it was cooked, that will have to wait for this Fall's crop. They usually are found in October here on Beaty's Creek. Here are a couple of ways to cook this versatile mushroom.

When you gather the Wishi you will take it home and clean it very well. I do this under running water. You will strip the Wishi into 1/2 strips or 3/4 inch strips if you want to deep fry it. Once all of the wishi is stripped you will place it into a large pot,( I use a large dutch oven.) and cover the Wishi with water. Boil for about 15-20 minutes. Your water will have a dark color to it when you pour the water off. Drain Wishi very well, now is the time to either freeze your Wishi or cook it! I do both so we can enjoy the Wishi all through the year.

Fried Wishi:

Coat a heavy bottomed skillet with about a 1/4 inch of canola oil or any oil you choose. Heat oil over medium heat and add Wishi. Salt and pepper to taste. We cook it until it slightly browns on one side and then we turn it and brown the other side. We like ours a little crispy. Now is the time to eat that delicious mushroom!

Deep Fried Wishi:

Needed:
All-purpose flour
Salt and Pepper to taste
Oil

Make sure your Wishi is dried from boiling it. Place about 5 cups of flour in a brown paper bag add salt and pepper to taste and place Wishi in bag. Coat as you would chicken to fry. Really shake off extra flour. Helps keep your oil clean. Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep pan or deep fryer. Place Wishi in a little at a time. Don't crowd Wishi or it will stick together. Fry until golden brown. Serve right away!

Morel Mushrooms--Need I say more???

If you've never had a Morel mushroom you are missing out. Some people like them in cream sauces but here on Beaty’s Creek we like 'em floured and fried! My husband and son are good at finding Morels and really enjoy the “hunt”. If you grew up around Beaty’s Creek, I am sure you've spent part of your springtime hunting for these prized mushrooms. Here is a recipe for frying Morels Beaty’s Creek Style. If you are lucky enough to know what Morels are, you know that these mushrooms (when fresh) are so rich and delicious that words cannot describe. If you have never eaten Morel mushrooms, look online and get cha’ some. This is What’s Cookin on Beaty’s Creek.


Needed:

25 or more morels-soaked in salt water over night in the fridge (This helps get out any buggies that maybe in the morel.)
2 cups all purpose flour
Salt
Oil
Cast Iron skillet

Drain morels really well and split in half, once split, place in bowl with flour and salt to taste, coat with flour and place in a heated skillet that is covered in 2 inches of oil. Cook until golden brown and drain on paper towels. ENJOY!!

The first Wishi of the year!!!! Hen of the Woods mushroom

We were out and about yesterday and guess what we found?????? A WISHI MUSHROOM!! It is a little early here on Beaty's Creek for Wishi but who cares! It is always like Christmas to find the first one of the year and a good omen also. Keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you might find! Before eating anything you pick in the wild, please check with someone if you are unsure of the edibility. Here is a link to last year's post on Wishi. This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek.

Wild Owl Mushroom--Bearded Tooth

The Bearded Tooth mushroom is another one of my favorite wild edibles found around Beaty's Creek. The Cherokee name for this mushroom is "ooo-gook" or owl. When gathering the owl you must be careful to not make the mushroom mad. Say what??? This mushroom if removed roughly or if it hits the ground will turn bitter and not be edible. I have been told this by several old timers so we are careful when gathering these little jewels. I don't know if this is entirely true, but I like to respect the beliefs of the old folk. It is also just plain fun to look for mushrooms that can get mad! I like to soak these in cold water and then slice them, flour them up, salt to taste and fry to a golden brown. Before eating anything you pick in the wild, please check with someone if you are unsure of the edibility. This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today.