Shroomin' in PA!

I know you are all anxiously awaiting this post regarding Pennsylvania's top agricultural crop! As I'm sure you've already figured out from the picture above...it's mushrooms! Yay and Hooray for mushrooms!  Aren't they pretty? I especially love the little white guys on the left. The majority of mushrooms are grown in the part of PA in which we live. Kennett Square, PA is the "mushroom capital of the world". I don't live in that town but we do live near it. The thing I've recently learned about mushrooms is that when they're growing, they can be very stinky. The Son says they smell like "dog toots" but honestly, I don't think they smell all that bad most of the time, just very "organic" and I kind of like it. Call me crazy, but I do. 

I've also learned to actually like mushrooms! I never, ever thought I would but I've been trying different things with mushrooms in them and those little fungi are darn good! We recently discovered (courtesy of my friend Lynn) a restaurant called the Half Moon Saloon in Kennett Square. (Are you proud of me? I finally figured out how to make a link in my blog! Yes!) The Half Moon serves this dish called "Exotic Mushrooms". It's a mix of mushrooms with some kind of beefy flavored broth with walnuts and dried cranberries served over gorgonzola toast. Oh. My. Gosh. It is one of the yummiest things I've eaten in a long time. I've ordered it every time I've gone to the Half Moon and I'm sure I will continue to do so. I also just tried their mushroom risotto and that was quite good as well. 

This weekend, The husband (a real fun-guy) tried to duplicate the "Exotic Mushrooms". He did a pretty good job too even considering that he forgot the walnuts and cranberries. I was impressed and I'm a picky eater, well maybe not picky but particular for sure. He said he would continue to experiment until we get it right. "We" meaning him cooking, me tasting. I think we need to invest in some truffle oil to really get it right, maybe that will be a good Father's Day gift for me, I mean him. 

So before you go thinking you don't like mushrooms, give them another try and support the economy of Southern Chester County Pennsylvania, you might be glad you did.