FOOD
THE INGREDIENT
MESSHALL
A ST E R I D
MUSHROOM MAGIC While there are over 10,000 varieties of mushrooms, you may be familiar with only a few types of this superfood. Get to know some of the others. BY C A R O L E D I XO N
MESSHALL: IMAGERY BY OSCAR;
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rom black trumpet to truffles, the nutritional value of and roasting, and the nutritional value from brain health to mushrooms is solid—from vitamin D to fiber—and they lowering cholesterol.” are often substituted for meat in plant-based entrees. At Garcia’s Asterid you will find maitake mushrooms prepared Here are some of the best ways to enjoy them in L.A. this winter. with turmeric aioli, lemon, and parsley. “Maitakes were chosen Start your day with a mushroom staple for their nutty flavor as well as their cluster from Tex-Mex favorite HomeState in Pasaformation, which provides texture when fried HEAD HUNTING dena. Its blanco breakfast taco is a morning and depth to the presentation,” Garcia says. vegetarian option, and features Chino Valley Otoño in Highland Park serves a paella Farmer Joni Albers, owner of Hungry Gardens Urban Farm organic egg whites, shiitake mushrooms, and with sunchoke, black vinaigrette, and two in Sun Valley, grows halfMonterey Jack. types of mushrooms: oyster and shitake. a-dozen varieties of exotic Located on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Another must-try rice-based favorite, farro mushrooms that are snapped up by restaurants such as Spago Center, Abernethy’s is a modern Filipino restaurisotto, is made with wild mushrooms, and Republique. You can find rant where Executive Chef Geter Atienza was roasted corn, truffles, parm tuile, and herbs at lion’s mane, black pearl, blue hand-selected as part of a culinary incubator Los Feliz’s Messhall. Chef Joana Cruz of Sparoyster, and cinnamon caps at her stand at the Montrose Harvest by his mentor, chef Ray Garcia. The restaurow Italia at Hotel Figueroa makes a rich and Market on Sundays and Burbank rant features a vegan version of the traditional earthy tartufo pizza with wild mushrooms, Farmers Market on Saturdays. pancit bihon, with rice noodles and forest smoked mozzarella, and seasonal truffle for a great sharable starter or entrée. mushrooms roasted with thyme and garlic, sugar snap peas, carrots, sweet peppers, and Mushroom flatbread or miso wild mushgrilled lemon. rooms from Marcel Vigneron’s Lemon Grove “Mushrooms are such a staple in a vegan at The Aster pairs well with a whole brandiet today because they can take on flavors zino, while the mushroom served “escargot from different cuisines,” Atienza says, “plus style” at Brandon Kida’s Gunsmoke in the they are so versatile when it comes to how Vinyl District can be a whole meal with a you can prepare them from braising, frying, crusty baguette and glass of wine.
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