Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America: A Field-to-Kitchen Guide »

Unusual shapes and colors make many mushrooms alluring to the eye, while the exotic flavors and textures of edible mushrooms are a gourmet delicacy for the palate. Yet many people never venture beyond the supermarket offerings, fearing that all other mushrooms are poisonous.

With amateur mushroom hunters especially in mind, David Fischer and Alan Bessette have prepared Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America. This field guide presents more than 100 species of the most delicious mushrooms, along with detailed information on how to find, gather, store, and prepare them for the table. More than 70 savory recipes, ranging from soups and salads to casseroles, canapes, quiches, and even a dessert, are included.

Throughout, the authors constantly emphasize the need for correct identification of species for safe eating. Each species is described in detailed, nontechnical language, accompanied by a list of key identifying characteristics that reliably rule out all but the target species. Superb color photographs also aid in identification. Poisonous "lookalikes" are described and illustrated, and the authors also assess the risks of allergic or idiosyncratic reactions to edible species and the possibilities of chemical or bacterial contamination.

Booknews

A colorful field guide presenting some 100 species of the most delicious mushrooms, along with detailed information on how to find, gather, store and prepare them. Contains 177 fine color plates. More than 70 recipes are included. Paper edition (unseen), $19.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Preface Content Acknowledgments Part One. Discovering Mycophagy
1. An Introduction to the Mushroom
2. Fundamentals of the Hunt
3. What Have You Found?
4. The Mycophagist's Ten Commandments
5. How to Use this Guide and Beyond Part Two. Forgotten Fruit: Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America
6. Chanterelles And Similar Mushrooms
7. Gilled Mushrooms
8. Boletes
9. Tooth Mushrooms
10. Coral-Shaped, Club-Shaped, And Cauliflower-Shaped Mushrooms
11. Shelflike Mushrooms, Puffballs, Morels, And Jelly Fungi Part Three. Poisonous Wild Mushrooms of North America
12. Mushroom Poisoning
13. Poisonous Wild Mushrooms Part Four. Wild Mushrooms in the Kitchen
14. Preparing, Preserving, and Cooking Wild Mushrooms
15. Wild Mushroom Recipes Glossary Recommended Reading Index