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The Trumpet of Death
Black Chanterelles are in season
I considered writing to the producers of the James Bond films suggesting this blog post title for their next movie-that or one of its other names, ‘The Horn of Plenty’!
The black chanterelle mushroom, aka, horn of plenty, trompette de mort, false truffle is a superb wild mushroom which I use as much as possible during the autumn before drying the last batches to see me through the early winter months.
This isn’t a common mushroom, its dark colour allows it to blend into its surroundings with a rather annoying ease. Funnel shaped with a fluted edge and deeply cut gills it grows up to 12cm/5in and is most commonly found in and around beech woods from late august to november.
It cooks very quickly in a little olive oil and butter, best cooked on a hight heat to avoid ’stewing’ in its residual water. I am currently serving it with sea bass and partridge, they look and taste fantastic. From an aesthetic point of view they can make a dish if you contrast the shiny black of the mushroom with a light sauce or vinaigrette.
Most chefs buy them in their dried state, I make the most of the fresh but usually give it a week or two to come down in price to around £24 a kilo. If you know of a secret batch somewhere in Lincolnshire then please let me know!
Miles,
Someone’s got to ask why this is called the trumpet of death, s’pose it’s got to be me.
‘Trompette de Mort on toast please waiter and a bottle of your finest formaldehyde’ - said Morticia Addams!
Cid
October 15, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
Cid,
Don’t forget the Black Pudding!
October 15, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Miles,
We might be walking all over them in rural Lincolnshire unaware of what we are missing under foot. If I spotted any likely trompettes, I would have to bring them to you to try - they scare the hell out of me. But then I would be mortified if something happened to you!
October 15, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
Elsie,
:)
Christine,
Was that ‘mortified’ by the trompettes de mort?
Do you think Miles would run a fungus foray for us girls if we promised to be on best behaviour? Frankly we stand more chance of spotting a mushroom than a slow moving snipe … although as you rightly point out the old trumpets of death could be tricky…
Cid
October 15, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
Cid,
I am not so sure about spotting the trumpetts quicker. They look pretty camouflaged to me. We might smell them though and the treck may be more pleasant than the Marsh.
Don’t know about Miles, we would have to tempt him somehow.
October 15, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Ladies,
Easy now! Trompette de Mort gets its name from the trumpet shape of the mushroom and I suppose the French believe the black colour to be ‘deathly’. Watch out for more French lessons in the coming weeks!!
Cid, I think it best if you concede defeat over the Snipe, I cannot see a happy outcome to all of this, the marsh is no place for a lady of distinction.
Miles
October 15, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
Ladies,
Now he tells me after I’ve splashed out on designer chest waders
Miles,
Was that defeat I hear you say … we are women of substance … the year is young and the hunt has hardly started! Anyway, today success is mine in the form of homemade puff pastry - yes at last a quick and relatively easy method. Loaded with butter but eat in moderation. I would be glad to give details if you wish. The last piece is ready rolled and refridgerated for tomorrow’s Philosophy Group Meeting. Sweet or savoury, freshly baked it’s delicious.
Cid
October 15, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
Cid,
The puff pastry recipe sounds very interesting-bring it on!
Miles
October 15, 2007 @ 10:28 pm