If you are a fan of "silent hunting" and often go to the forest, then most likely you have often encountered mushrooms that grow on tree trunks.
Did you know that there are edibles among them? Most likely, no, because we usually bypass such mushrooms. Their appearance is repulsive, and it’s much more pleasant to collect mushrooms, boletus and butter! Well, in vain, on the trunks of trees can be caught a very tasty and healthy specimen - hepatic mushroom. Why does he have such a name? Yes, because visually the mushroom is very similar to the animal’s liver and even “bleeds” on the cut. Now we will consider in detail all its useful and healing properties, and also learn how to cook it.
Liver fungus
It usually grows on stumps and trunks of deciduous trees, mainly on oaks and chestnuts. He loves a warm temperate climate, therefore it is only in those places where there is a short cold winter. The mushroom cap can be light red, dark orange or maroon. The leg is folded, unexpressed, often it is not even visible. The skin is rough and slightly moist to the touch. The mushroom in shape resembles a liver or tongue, its length on average ranges from 10 to 30 cm, thickness - 6 cm. The pulp is fleshy, juicy, but at the same time dense. Liver fungus is rich in vitamin C. In addition, it contains proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins PP and D, phosphorus and water, which are so necessary for the human body. For food, it is best to use young specimens, because the old ones are bitter and rather tough.
Hepatic mushroom. Cooking
As you already understood, the liverwort can be eaten. This mushroom is fried, boiled and stewed. Some even manage to make cutlets from it. Let's look at a few cooking options.
- Fried liverwort. Rinse the mushrooms thoroughly, remove the peel. Put them in salted water, Bring to a boil and cook for another 20-25 minutes. Then discard the mushrooms in a colander and rinse. Now we cut them into pieces and send them to a hot pan. If necessary, you can still salt. Fry the mushrooms for 20 minutes. Do not forget to stir. Then add the chopped onion and fry for another 10 minutes. Optionally, you can put mayonnaise or sour cream. Enjoy your meal!
- Liver cutlets. To begin, soak the mushroom for several hours in cold water. This is done in order to remove excess acid. In this case, the water in which the mushroom will be soaked should be periodically drained and replaced with a new one.Then boil it for 20-25 minutes. Cool and grind in a meat grinder. Add the onion, egg, salt and pepper to the minced meat. Now form the patties, roll them in flour and fry them in a hot pan until cooked. Enjoy your meal!
Well, now you know what the liver mushroom looks like, how to cook it and what useful properties it has. But it is worth noting that, like any other product, it has its own contraindications. Hepatic mushroom should not be eaten by those people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys. Also, nutritionists do not recommend using it in the diet of preschoolers.