Stock up on cilantro, mint, and shallots and you’re well on your way to enjoying the aromatic salads of Thailand. Lightness and the emphasis on balancing hot, sour, and salty elements seem to be the hallmark of Thai greens. Instead of oils and vinegars, try whipping out the chiles, limes, and fish sauce for a change.

Culantro sounds and tastes like that other love-it-or-hate-it herb found on Indian and Mexican dishes. Also known as long-leaf, spiny, serrated, or sawtooth coriander, culantro looks completely different. It has a stronger scent and weaker taste compared to cilantro, but maybe it’s just me.

You’ll also need ground toasted rice, a seemingly insignificant ingredient that is easy to overlook. If you ever see it listed in any Thai recipe, just remember that it is never optional.

recipe adapted from David Thompson’s Thai Food
Weekend Herb Blogging hosted by Cook Almost Anything

Thai Wild Mushroom Salad
Yam Het Bpa

makes 4 servings as a side dish

King Oyster Mushrooms.

Ingredients:

a few handfuls of wild mushrooms, about 1/3 pound, sliced
2 tablespoons stock
a pinch of salt
a pinch of sugar
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
a large pinch of chile powder
4 shallots, thinly sliced
a handful of mint and cilantro, leaves only
2 tablespoons culantro (pak chii farang)
1 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon ground toasted rice (khao kua)
a few sprigs of Thai basil
sliced cabbage and cucumber

Pak chii farang, aka foreign coriander. ‘Tis originally from the West (Central America).

Directions:

1. Place the mushrooms, stock, salt, and sugar in a small pan and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the mushrooms are done (the cooking time varies depending on the type of mushrooms you use). Adjust the amount of water you add so that the water is almost completely evaporated when the mushrooms are done.
2. Remove the mushrooms from the heat and season with the lime juice, fish sauce, and chile powder. Place in a bowl and toss with the shallots, herbs, and scallions.
3. To serve, sprinkle with the ground toasted rice. Serve with Thai basil leaves and slices of cabbage and cucumber.

Mushrooms seasoned with fish sauce, lime juice, and chile powder.

Cooked king oyster mushrooms have a pleasing meaty texture.

This is a post from Apple Pie, Patis, and Pate
Thai Wild Mushroom Salad

Similar Posts:

1. Thai Beef and Mangosteen Soup
2. Morel Mushroom Pilaf
3. Cremini Mushroom Toast
4. Potato and Orange Salad – Ensalada Valenciana
5. Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Morel Mushrooms
6. Banana Hearts Kinilaw

I was reluctant to try this recipe because morel mushrooms aren’t exactly a dime a dozen. Foraging is not an option because I don’t know any mycologists and there’s always that tiny chance of Death by Shotgun if I unknowingly wander into an ex-convict’s backyard.

A Julie Sahni recipe has never steered me wrong, though, so why not?

All of the spices (cumin, cardamom, cloves, and a cinnamon stick) are left whole so the morels don’t get overwhelmed. The pilaf was very fragrant but more delicate than I expected. The first thing you taste is the morels (thank goodness) along with the natural sweetness of the onions.

recipe adapted from Julie Sahni’s Classic Indian Cooking
Weekend Herb Blogging hosted by Cinzia

Badshahi Pulao / Gochian Pulao
The Emperor’s Pilaf / Morel Mushroom Pilaf

makes about 6 to 8 servings

Morel Mushrooms.

Ingredients:

2 cups basmati rice, washed and drained
4 medium onions
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
1/2 pound fresh morel mushrooms, halved and cleaned
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
6 whole cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick, about 3 inches long
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Place the basmati rice in a bowl. Add 4 cups of cold water and soak for about 30 minutes. Drain, reserving the water used for soaking.
2. Slice 2 of the onions into paper-thin slices (this will be used in the next step). Finely chop the remaining 2 onions.
3. Make the Crispy Fried Onions. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Fry the paper-thin onions until dark brown, about 20 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the onions from burning. Remove the onions using a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. The onions will crisp as they cool.
4. In the same pan and oil used to fry the onions, add the cumin seeds and cook for a few seconds over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until light brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the onions from burning.
5. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the morel mushrooms and saute for about 3 minutes, until the morels are fragrant. Add the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf and continue cooking until the spices are slightly puffed.
6. Stir in the drained basmati rice and cook until the rice is thoroughly coated in oil and lightly browned. Add the reserved soaking water and salt. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
7. Cover and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, until most of the water is absorbed.
8. Reduce the heat to low and let the rice steam for another 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and rest for at least 5 minutes.
9. Sprinkle the crispy fried onions on top as a garnish and serve with grilled or stewed meats or seafood.

This is a post from Apple Pie, Patis, and Pate
Morel Mushroom Pilaf

Similar Posts:

1. Sautéed Morel Mushrooms and Fava Beans
2. Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Morel Mushrooms
3. Thai Wild Mushroom Salad
4. Cremini Mushroom Toast
5. Dal Makhani (Kali Dal) – Buttered Black Gram Beans
6. Butternut Squash Risotto with Crispy Sage

Jerusalem artichokes have nothing to do with either the capital of Israel or globe artichokes, so what gives? Extensive research indicates that we can blame the English. Jerusalem artichokes are root tubers from a type of sunflower. The Italian word for sunflower is girasole (“to turn towards the sun”), which eventually morphed into “Jerusalem” after landing on British shores. People who want none of that confusion prefer to call these sunchokes.

The “artichoke” part is easier to explain — fully cooked sunchokes taste similar to globe artichokes. When raw or lightly cooked, it will be juicy and crunchy, almost like jicama or water chestnuts.

This recipe also highlights morel mushrooms, another springtime Ingredient of Desire. The soup is finished with a hefty dose of cream for that velvety texture and topped with fragrant sauteed morels prior to serving.

recipe adapted from Gordon Ramsay
Weekend Herb Blogging hosted by Marija

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Morel Mushrooms

makes about 4 servings

Jerusalem artichokes / sunchokes in a cute little box.

Ingredients:

5 ounces fresh morel mushrooms, halved and cleaned
1 pound Jerusalem artichokes, scrubbed or peeled
juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, chopped
1/2 cup white wine
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
freshly grated nutmeg
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Fill a bowl with cold water and stir in the lemon juice. Cut the Jerusalem artichokes into thin slices and immediately drop into the bowl of lemon water to keep them from browning. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and drain.
2. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped shallots and saute for about 5 minutes while stirring frequently (try not to let the shallots brown). Add the sliced Jerusalem artichokes and saute for about 5 minutes more.
3. Add the white wine and cook until the wine is evaporated. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, just until the Jerusalem artichokes are thoroughly softened.
4. Puree the soup using a food mill, food processor, or blender. Strain using a medium-mesh strainer back into the saucepan and stir in the cream. You can cool the soup and refrigerate at this point to serve later.
5. To serve, heat the Jerusalem artichoke soup over low heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
   In a small skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and butter over medium heat. Saute the morel mushrooms for about 5 minutes and season lightly with salt, pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg. Ladle the Jerusalem artichoke soup into bowls and top with the sauteed morel mushrooms.

Looks can be deceiving.

This is a post from Apple Pie, Patis, and Pate
Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Morel Mushrooms

Similar Posts:

1. Sautéed Morel Mushrooms and Fava Beans
2. Morel Mushroom Pilaf
3. Asparagus Soup with Cream
4. Vanilla-Rhubarb Soup with Strawberries
5. Butternut Squash Soup – Recipe from Alinea
6. Chinese Crab and Corn Soup

Buttery fava beans still in its pale green skin are added to sauteed morel mushrooms in this recipe. Crème fraîche, a cultured cream, gives the dish a rich tang. It’s a simple way of enjoying what is arguably the most coveted of spring produce.

When it comes to fresh ingredients, sometimes the simplest recipes are best. That’s what I want to say, but to be honest, I just didn’t want to screw up the morels. It’s one ingredient that makes me nervous in the kitchen and you can bet I went all eagle-eye on the morels as it cooked.

The fragrance released by the sauteed morels, obviously that of a mushroom but much deeper than any others, is nothing short of addictive. It makes you want to risk facial oil burns as you bend over the hot skillet and catch a whiff.

recipe adapted from Saveur
My Legume Love Affair hosted by Coco Cooks
Click: Spring 2009 hosted by Jugalbandi

Sautéed Morel Mushrooms and Fava Beans
with Crème Fraîche

makes about 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

3 pounds fresh fava / broad beans in the pod
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 to 15 fresh morels (about 4 ounces), cleaned and halved or quartered lengthwise
1 tablespoon crème fraîche
salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Remove the fava beans from pods and rinse under cold running water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
2. Add the fava beans to the boiling water and simmer just until soft, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and reserve.
3. Heat the olive oil in a cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Add the morel mushrooms and gently cook until soft, stirring occasionally, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the crème fraîche, then the favas, and cook just until the favas are heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Something smells good.

This is a post from Apple Pie, Patis, and Pate
Sautéed Morel Mushrooms and Fava Beans

Similar Posts:

1. Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Morel Mushrooms
2. Lamb with Fava Beans and Green Almonds
3. Morel Mushroom Pilaf
4. Sautéed Ramps in Guanciale
5. Dal Makhani (Kali Dal) – Buttered Black Gram Beans
6. Mung Beans and Sticky Rice in Coconut Milk

Mushroom toasts are a great way to use up stale bread. It could also serve as a bold top half for your version of The World’s Greatest Sandwich or as a worthy excuse to fire up your George Foreman grill or panini press*.

I don’t really care for any of that, though.

I like making these because they look cool. Mushroom cross-sections seared with grill marks are somehow aesthetically appealing to me. Come to think of it, anything with grill marks causes shameless culinary swooning within me. Perhaps it’s a guy thing.

The taste, as good as can be expected from the spartan ingredient list of crusty bread, mushrooms, and extra virgin olive oil, comes second. I hope there’s nothing wrong with admitting that.

* I used a cast iron press because I’m broke, have zero counter space, and avoid kitchen electronics whenever possible.

recipe adapted from Nancy Silverton’s Sandwich Book: The Best Sandwiches Ever
Weekend Herb Blogging hosted by Anna

Cremini Mushroom Toast

makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 slices crusty white OR whole wheat bread (preferably sourdough) OR brioche
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
12–16 cremini mushrooms, very thinly sliced
kosher salt or coarse sea salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Brush one side of each slice of bread with olive oil. Place the mushrooms in a row on the unoiled side of the bread, slightly overlapping (the mushrooms will shrink slightly after grilling). Brush the mushrooms with olive oil and season with salt.
2. Place the bread, mushroom side up, in a preheated panini-style grill or between a hot cast iron skillet and press. Grill with your equipment of choice and apply enough pressure to slightly smash the bread.
3. Grill for about 3 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and the mushrooms are sizzling and cooked through.

This is a post from Apple Pie, Patis, and Pate
Cremini Mushroom Toast

Similar Posts:

1. Thai Wild Mushroom Salad
2. Morel Mushroom Pilaf
3. Sautéed Morel Mushrooms and Fava Beans
4. Pa Amb Tomàquet – Catalan Bread with Tomato
5. Croque Madame – Grilled Cheese, Ham, and Egg Sandwich
6. Gambas al Ajillo – Simplest Garlic Shrimp Tapas

Realizing that I’ve been using the oven almost exclusively lately, turning to other kitchen appliances seems to be in order. I hear that stove tops get heavy use in other kitchens so I’m dusting off the skillets and cooking with (gasp) fire instead of hot air.

Gamja jeon are savory skillet-crisped pancakes made with grated potatoes. In this version, diced peppers and pyogo (shiitake) mushrooms are added to the potato batter for added flavor and texture. A vinegar soy sauce dip, cho ganjang, is typically served with the lightly seasoned pancakes.

recipe adapted from Hi Soo Shin Hepinstall’s Growing Up in a Korean Kitchen
A Worldly Epicurean’s Delight: Korean hosted by PJ

감자전 – Gamja Jeon
Korean Potato Pancakes

makes 4 to 6 servings, about 12 to 16 pancakes

Ingredients:

1 egg
5 tablespoons cornstarch
1 hot red Korean pepper OR 1/4 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
1 hot green Korean pepper OR 1/4 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
4 pyogo (shiitake) mushrooms, finely diced
2 scallions, white and pale green parts only, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
pinch of salt
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Crack the egg into a large bowl and beat lightly. Add the cornstarch and mix until thick and smooth.
2. Add the red and green peppers, mushrooms, scallions, and garlic and mix well.
3. Using a box grater or food processor, grate the peeled potatoes. Add the grated potatoes to the peppers and mushrooms. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fold together all of the ingredients only until evenly distributed.
   
4. In a cast iron or nonstick skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat just until a wisp of smoke appears.
5. Use a spoon to drop mounds of batter on the skillet, about four at a time. Gently flatten each mound into rounds about 3 to 4 inches wide. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, until crisp and golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter and oil.
6. Serve the potato pancakes as a side dish or appetizer with a bowl of cho ganjang (vinegar soy sauce dip, recipe follows) .

초간장 – Cho Ganjang
Vinegar Soy Sauce Dip

makes 1/2 cup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons cheongju (Korean rice wine) OR vermouth
2 tablespoons rice vinegar OR apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
a pinch of salt

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped pine nuts OR toasted sesame seeds
a pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Mix together the soy sauce, wine, vinegar, sesame oil, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Add the pine nuts or sesame seeds and ground black pepper just before serving. Store leftover sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week.

This is a post from Apple Pie, Patis, and Pate
Gamja Jeon – Korean Potato Pancakes

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1. Pickled Ramps, Japanese and Korean Flavors
2. Potato and Orange Salad – Ensalada Valenciana
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4. Hobakjuk – Korean Pumpkin Porridge
5. Rosemary Potato Bread
6. Thai Wild Mushroom Salad