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Braised Lobster Mushrooms

Clayton Allen
Lobster mushrooms are as ubiquitous at the end of summer as the highly sought-after chanterelle, yet these two fungi are strikingly different. The lobster mushroom, a foraged marvel, is a fungus overtaken by another fungus, transforming it into a new and enticing ingredient that deserves recognition.
Its red exterior and white interior, coupled with low natural iodine levels, impart a rich, meaty, and slightly fishy quality, living up to its namesake. This calls for a nod to the French Bouillabaisse—a traditional seafood stew made with the best summer vegetables. I enhance this with a touch of heavy cream to balance the acidity of bright summer tomatoes.
When shopping, opt for younger, petite mushrooms. As they mature, they tend to become woodier and tougher. If you’re keen to open a wine alongside this dish, I recommend our 2021 Mineral Springs Chardonnay. This wine has enough body and complexity to stand up to the richness of the lobster mushrooms; the earthy and umami flavors in the dish let the minerality and fresh fruit flavors in this wine shine.
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Course Appetizer
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • ½ lb. lobster mushrooms, cleaned of any dirt
  • 1 cup leeks, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, medium diced
  • 1 small red onion, small diced 1 fennel bulb, medium diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup white wine, like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
  • 1 cup Roma tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare the mushrooms: Place them on a cutting board or cookie sheet and inspect for dirt or blemishes, using a paring knife to carefully scrape or cut away any impurities.
  • Slice or cut the clean mushrooms into large chunks. Aim for uniformity but keep pieces larger than your other vegetables. If they’re small (like a garlic clove) leave them whole.
  • In an oven-safe Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it starts to bubble and brown slightly, add the mushrooms with a large pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Sauté the mushrooms until golden brown. Add the leeks, carrots, onion, fennel, and garlic, cooking just until they begin to soften.
  • Add the wine and reduce by half.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and vegetable stock until well combined.
  • Add another large pinch of salt along with the bay leaves. Place the tomatoes on top, allowing them to fl oat and roast—do not stir them in.
  • Transfer the Dutch oven to the preheated oven and cook for 2 hours. Check every 30 minutes, adding a bit more stock if needed.
  • After 2 hours, remove the Dutch oven and place it on a burner over low heat. Check the mushrooms with a fork; they should be soft and uniformly orange.
  • Reduce any remaining liquid until the stew thickens, then stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve over polenta or accompany with crusty bread for a fantastic fall meal.