We have lots of lovely wild venison in the shop this week, as the incessant rain has eased off and the deer have moved out of the shelter of the woods. It’s critical to keep deer numbers under control to help woodland regenerate and avoid too much crop damage. You … Read More
Foraging is limited at this time of year, as are locally grown vegetables — it’s traditionally known as the “Hungry Gap”. Yet one ingredient thrives precisely in these cold, damp conditions: the frost-tolerant Wood ear. You’ll find it growing on decaying elder trunks and fallen branches. True to its name, … Read More
It’s getting cold, damp, and dark, and you need to cheer yourself and celebrate the autumn harvest with slow-cooked, rich, and warming dishes that provide comfort and nourishment. Think of roasted squash with chili and garlic, or a stew of succulent, slow-cooked shin of beef or full-flavored mutton. Wild mushrooms … Read More
Every few years when the conditions are perfect, the woods produce a glut of the most glorious food: Porcini mushrooms (also known as Cep in French or Penny Bun in England). The heavy rains after a dry summer stir the subterranean world into action, and the mycellium networks that weave … Read More
April is the changing of the seasons and there are some unusual and different seasonal foods that you are unlikely to find on supermarket shelves, including foraged and wild. British crops are suffering from the ‘Hungry Gap’ as the winter veg comes to an end, and there are 4-6 weeks … Read More
We have some St George’s Mushrooms just coming through in time for the big day this weekend. They grown in meadows and woodland edges and clearings, creating a fairy ring or circle that gets bigger every year. The fungi seem to benefit the grass, as you can clearly see that … Read More
While the storms that have struck this week herald the end of the summer drought, there is a silver lining to the start of autumn: not only are the meadows and lawns returning to green but there is a subterranean stirring that heralds the start of the mushroom season. We … Read More
Autumn is most definitely here, and if you walk in the woods with the leaves falling, that unmistakable earthy, mushroom smell pervades every footstep. I find myself yearning to eat mushrooms at this time of year, they satisfy my autumn cravings. If you know where to look, there are wild … Read More
Another great local supplier has popped up in Hambrook. Roger has started growing Oyster Mushrooms using straw and used coffee grounds from an Emsworth cafe as his substrate. The mycelium grows into the substrate log in a dark, warm room for 3-4 weeks, before being moved into a light, high … Read More
St Georges Mushrooms have started to appear nearly a month late. They are so-called as they tend to pop up on St Georges day, but with last month’s drought and cold, they very sensibly stayed tucked up in bed until it got a bit warmer. They grow in pastures and … Read More
This is such a simple dish, the trick is to cook the mushrooms right and be extremely generous with the garlic. Chestnut, button, or large flat mushrooms are great, and we also have a mix of more exotic mushrooms from the New Forest which include yellow and pink oyster mushrooms, … Read More
Following closely behind the Asparagus comes a lovely line up of locally grown veg which will build towards the summer. We have a new veg supplier who is able to source more local produce at a better price, so come and have a look. Some of the veg producers also … Read More