Shroom

Starred review from December 1, 2014

In this approachable and humorous guide to cooking with 15 types of mushrooms (e.g., king trumpet, morel, lobster), chef and cooking instructor Selengut (Good Fish) hopes to allay fears of fungi. She answers common questions about buying, cleaning (plunging a dirty chanterelle in water isn't taboo), storing, and eating mushrooms but wisely steers clear of foraging advice, which is best left to experts and mycological societies. Each chapter includes five recipes that are presented in order from easy to advanced, with suggested wine pairings. Banh mi sandwiches with red curry roasted portobellos and pickled vegetables, silken scrambled eggs with shaved Alba white truffles, and other dishes, accompanied by gorgeous color photographs, will attract not only curious, possibly mushroom-averse home cooks, but also experts seeking inventive new preparations. VERDICT A delight to read and cook from, this is one of the most welcoming and unintimidating mushroom books to hit shelves in ages.

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