Ear Ear!

[GaryBeaner]

Out walking the dog, and came across these little things(Jelly/Jews ears), looked around and nearly every Elder around me had them. Saw them yesterday and they seemed much fuller. Apparently edible but 'a bit funny' according to a friend.

[Fletching]

Jew's ears are really popular in Chinese cooking, and I'm a big fan. IMHO, the best way to eat this species is to first dry it out otherwise it can be a bit slimey. When you want to eat it, rehydrate it in warm water for about ten mins. Most Chinese broths use Jew's ear / 'black fungus' as it's got a very crunchy texture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auricularia_auricula-judae

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_ear_fungus ('Cloud Ear' fungus - same sub-species)

Here's a recipe....

In a pan, heat some chicken stock to a simmer, and add egg noodles and turn off heat - these should cook in the hot water alone in ten mins. Whilst you're doing this fry some thin strips of chicken in a wok until brown. Add chopped veg - onions/garlic/ginger/carrots/cabbage/peppers/mushrooms/beansprouts and rehydrated jew's ears (include the steeping liquor just before done). Put noodles and stock in a bowl, add the chicken and veg and one teaspoon of chilli oil (less if you're a sissy) and a good slug of soy sauce. Eat with spoon and chopsticks.

Steve

[GaryBeaner]

Righty ho!! It's funny I was looking at em and thinking 'blimey there's enough round here for a stir fry' but decided to leave em where they were because of the 'funny' comment from a mate. I'll nip down there and get em tomorrow and I'll let you know what I think. :happy-clapping:Cheers!!!

[Fletching]

Righty ho!! It's funny I was looking at em and thinking 'blimey there's enough round here for a stir fry' but decided to leave em where they were because of the 'funny' comment from a mate. I'll nip down there and get em tomorrow and I'll let you know what I think. :happy-clapping:Cheers!!!

Sun drying's the best for these. Good luck with that. ;)

[GaryBeaner]

Righty, got some!
I'll dry em wrapped in kitchen towel on a radiator (same way I do chillis)as we're not getting much sun! I'll follow your recipe in a few days time and let you know:wink:
Cheers!

[robin]

You may find this webpage of interest:
http://huntergathercook.typepad.com/huntergathering_wild_fres/2011/01/jews-ear-fungior-is-it-jelly-ear-fungi.html

[Kiltie]

That is a first class link Robin-incredible amount of vitamins and minerals in this innocuos looking fungi-I've only tried it once and wasn't too keen-I'll be trying it again and might make it a 'regular gather' :happy-clapping:

[luresalive]

I've tried them, not much flavour and rather chewy, but OK.